News

Wisconsin ag exports up 17% YTD

Wisconsin agricultural exports have reaches nearly $2.8 billion so far this year, a 17 percent increase over the same period in 2013. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says for the first three-quarters of the year, dairy and dairy product exports are up 19 percent at $393 million.

Part of that growth in dairy exports can be attributed to $88.7 million in exports to Mexico, a 29 percent increase, and $55.3 million in exports to China, a 77 percent increase, compared to the same time last year. In Mexico, the products showing the most growth are milk concentrate, whey protein, cheese, butter and oils and buttermilk. In China they include whey, sweet concentrated milk, cream, cheese and curd.

Other agricultural exports include miscellaneous food items, $285 million up 24 percent: beverages $260 million up 19 percent; raw fur and skins $256 million up 51 percent and preserved food $180 million up 25 percent from a year ago.

Wisconsin leads the nation in the export of bovine genetics, whey, ginseng, processed sweet corn, mink fur skins and processed cranberries. Wisconsin ranks second in cheese exports.