Contacts: Laura Smith, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162
Lee Sensenbrenner, Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, 608-224-5020
State Efforts Pay Off as Farmers See Expanding Markets and Strong Third-Quarter Growth
MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today announced that state agricultural exports increased by 37 percent over third quarter exports last year. With over $1.71 billion worth of agricultural exports through September of this year to over 150 countries, Wisconsin saw double-digit growth in almost all of its export markets and product categories.
“We have worked really hard to invest in Wisconsin’s diverse farmers and producers and help them enter growing export markets, and our hard work is paying off,” Governor Doyle said. “Our expanding agricultural exports demonstrate the success of Wisconsin’s agricultural products that are known throughout the world for their high quality and innovation. Wisconsin has the best farmers and producers in the world and together we have built a strong global presence that will continue to grow our agricultural economy and create jobs here in Wisconsin.”
The export category that includes grains such as corn, barley and rice was the fastest growing category, gaining 118 percent to reach $316 million through September. The category for dairy, eggs and honey followed, gaining 46 percent to reach $161 million. And ingredients, sauces, yeasts and mustards drove miscellaneous food exports up by 18 percent to reach $149 million.
The top destinations for Wisconsin exports from January through September and the increase of exports are as follows:
Country – Value of Exports – Percentage Export Growth
Canada – $ 695 million – 19
Mexico – $ 134 million – 19
Japan – $ 73 million – 19
South Korea – $ 68 million – 73
China – $ 59 million – 30
Governor Doyle has worked hard with industry leaders to open new opportunities in world markets for Wisconsin businesses through trade missions and building strong international partnerships with Canada, Mexico and Asia. At the same time, Governor Doyle has led the effort to revitalize agriculture in Wisconsin over the last eight years.
Under Governor Doyle’s leadership, Wisconsin has invested and promoted its diverse agricultural economy, which has now grown to approximately $59 billion annually and is responsible for more than 1 in 10 jobs in Wisconsin. Incentives to help modernize the dairy industry have helped increase milk production to record levels and have strengthened the state’s status as the number one producer of cheese in the country. In addition, Wisconsin is second in the nation in the number of organic farms. At the same time, efforts to strengthen diversity in agriculture have made Wisconsin a leading producer of cranberries, specialty cheeses, organic vegetables and many other products. To enable successful farming for future generations, the state’s best farmland is protected under the Working Lands Initiative that Governor Doyle signed into law in 2009.
Earlier this year, Governor Doyle signed into law several bills to create jobs and support investment in the state’s agricultural industries. These bills created a food processing tax credit to create investment opportunities for Wisconsin food processing and distribution businesses; extended the dairy modernization tax credits through 2012 to help hard-pressed dairy farmers invest in their operations; and created a Farm to School program to help more Wisconsin schools have easier access to locally grown fruits and vegetables.
