Top country to imported Virginia's agricultural products is CanadaMarch 7, 2010 SUFFOLK VA NEWS -- Virginia breaks with national agricultural export trends. While United States overall agricultural exports last year were down 14 percent, Virginia agricultural exports grew by $100 million in 2009. Virginia's growth put the Commonwealth in the top ten nationally of agricultural exporting states, ranking the state ninth in 2009, up from 11th in 2008. Virginia agriculture industry exported a record $2.3 billion in agricultural products in 2009. A 5 percent increase from 2008, and a 28% increase over the last two years. This increase comes despite distressed economic conditions worldwide and while overall national agricultural exports decrease. Virginia's top export products in 2009 included:
On March 3, 2010, at the 2nd International Virginia Agricultural Trade Conference in Norfolk, Virginia, Governor Bob McDonnell said: "Agriculture is Virginia's number one industry and absolutely critical to our economic vitality. Increased exports mean more jobs and economic growth in Virginia. In two years, during the worst economic conditions in decades, Virginia's agricultural exports grew by half a billion dollars. As Virginia's overseas markets continue to grow, our farmers and agribusinesses will continue to create new jobs and retain existing ones. In today's economy, that is absolutely crucial. Much of Virginia's agricultural strength lies in our diversity of exports. It is because of this and the high quality of our products that agricultural exports will remain strong. Our growers and agribusinesses are producing some of the world's finest and highly demanded products. While we had a successful year last year, we can't stop here. I look forward to working closely with both Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore and Secretary of Commerce and Trade Jim Cheng to ensure increased success in the global market." In 2009, top countries that imported the total value of Virginia's agricultural products were:
Meanwhile, Virginia's Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Haymore accredited the agricultural sector's economic success to Virginia's farmers, processors, and manufacturers as well as Virginia's strategic mid-Atlantic location, and world-class port system. "Today's news is a testament to our hard working farmers and producers who are producing some of the world's finest products. It's also a tribute to our outstanding processors and manufacturers, our strategic mid-Atlantic location, and our world-class port system, which allows for our agricultural products to move quickly and efficiently into the global marketplace." # # # |
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