Wisconsin’s exports totaled $17.4 billion from January to September, which is an increase of 6.4 percent over the same period in 2011, according to a new report by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).
Following industrial machinery, Wisconsin’s agricultural exports ranked second in the list of the Top Five Wisconsin Export Products showing a 4-percent increase over the same time last year.
“I am pleased with the work Wisconsin agricultural businesses are doing to increase their exports to customers around the world. Wisconsin continues to establish itself as a destination for quality products,” said DATCP Secretary Ben Brancel. “We will keep working to develop relationships and create an environment where the state’s ag-related companies can do business in the international marketplace to strengthen our economy.”
While the export of agricultural products nationwide was down 1 percent, Wisconsin exported over $2.2 billion of agricultural products during the first three quarters of 2012, accounting for that 4-percent increase. Wisconsin ranks 12th in the nation for the value of agricultural exports, up from 17th during the same period in 2011. The state exports agricultural products to over 145 countries.
The top three markets for Wisconsin agricultural exports from January to September 2012 were Canada, Mexico and China. Top agricultural export products continued to be beverages (primarily ethanol), miscellaneous food and dairy-related goods. Dairy product exports alone were up 9 percent compared to the same period last year.
