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Record year for Wisconsin ag exports

Wisconsin agricultural exports hit a record $3.7 billion in 2014; a 13.6 percent increase over 2013 and the fifth consecutive annual increase.

Exports of dairy and dairy derivatives from the Badger State totaled $479 million last year up 2 percent from 2013. Miscellaneous food exports increased 17 percent to $369 million, beverage exports including ethanol were 13 percent higher at $342 million and cereal grains sales increased 5 percent to $253 million. The $269 million in raw fur skin exports is up 53 percent from 2013 and 123 percent from 2012. Wisconsin leads the nation in exports of cranberries, ginseng and whey.

Overall state exports increased 1.4 percent to a record $23.4 billion. Canada is Wisconsin’s best customer buying $7.9 billion in goods last year. Mexico is second with $2.8 billion followed by China, Japan and the United Kingdom.