Wisconsin had a record-setting $2.13 billion in food, forestry and agriculture exports in the first half of this year, buoyed by rising exports to key markets in Canada and Mexico.
That’s according to the latest quarterly report from the International Agribusiness Center, which shows Wisconsin has climbed to No. 10 in the country for ag exports after seeing growth of 5.42% compared to the first half of 2025.
Gov. Tony Evers is touting the report’s findings, pointing to his administration’s efforts over nearly eight years to boost the state’s ag sectors and struggling family farms.
His office yesterday slammed the Trump administration’s “reckless tariff taxes” that came after the period covered in the report, leading to the latest trade conflict with Canada, the state’s single largest export destination by far. Retaliatory Canadian tariffs on a variety of U.S. goods took effect Sept. 8, impacting $27.6 billion in exports.
Evers warns the trade wars “could jeopardize all of the important progress we’ve made” under his administration.
“Republicans have enabled President Trump to target Wisconsin’s largest export partner, raise prices on working families, and cause the cost of fuel to skyrocket, making the cost of doing business and getting products to market even more expensive,” Evers said.
Led by Canada and Mexico, the state’s top five export markets also include South Korea, China and Japan, collectively making up 65% of Wisconsin’s total ag exports, according to the report. In all, the state exported to 134 countries in the first half of the year.
Ethanol exports to Canada rose by 71% while cranberries rose by 66%, sauces by 53% and pickles by 7%. At the same time, corn exports to Mexico increased by 135% while soybeans grew by 125%.
Meanwhile, report authors note East Asian countries “remained a strong area of growth” for the state, as meat cuts going to Taiwan grew by 69% while those going to South Korea rose by 107%. But exports to China continue to fall as exporters in Wisconsin explore new markets, dropping to $93 million in the second quarter from $131 million at the same point last year.
Broken down by broad category, crops made up 63% of the state’s ag exports for the second quarter, including grains, forestry, processed foods and beverages, the report shows. Dairy made up 18%, covering cheese, whey, lactose and milk proteins, while meat made up the other 18%, including livestock, bovine genetics, hides and furs.
Based on the latest export data, Wisconsin is the No. 1 state in the country for exports of cranberries, ginseng, specialty cheese, prepared meat, bovine genetics and mink pelts.
