Gov. Jim Doyle’s office announced Thursday Wisconsin’s agricultural exports increased 7 percent through the first nine months of 2008, adding up to a record high of $1.5 billion.
Wisconsin’s dairy exports went up 39 percent from the same time last year, increasing revenue by $50 million, and cheese exports alone were up 47 percent from this time last year.
Demand for these products comes primarily from Canada — Wisconsin’s largest international trader — Mexico, Japan, China and Korea. Agricultural exports account for about 20 percent of Wisconsin’s farm income, generating $51 billion for the state annually and creating nearly half a million jobs for state residents.
Increased demand for food and other agricultural products around the globe is one of many factors that contributed to this increase in exports.
Carla Vigue, spokesperson for Doyle, said the investments made by Doyle to bring agricultural technology to the forefront contributed to the boost in exports.
Vigue added with the national economy affecting the state, continued investments would be one of the best things for Wisconsin to do.
“The national economy is obviously in a tremendous downturn, and one way that Wisconsin can help itself keep ahead … is by continuing to invest in agriculture and manufacturing,” Vigue said.
Vigue said these investments help struggling Wisconsin families and create more jobs.
Ryan Murray, spokesperson for Senate Minority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, said the weakening United States dollar might have contributed to the increase in these and other exports in general because it is less expensive for other countries to purchase U.S. goods.
Murray added this increase would have a positive effect on the state, saying “agriculture is a huge part of Wisconsin’s economy, so it is great for Wisconsin both in general and economically.”
Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, agreed this increase would help Wisconsin since agriculture is a vital component of the economy. Black said the importance in protecting the state’s farmland as Wisconsin’s agricultural sector will be very important in the years to come.
“It is good economic news for Wisconsin at a time when much economic news is not so good, and it points to the continuing importance of agriculture as a part of Wisconsin’s economy,”
Black said.
Black cited the increased global demand for agricultural products as a reason for the increase in the state’s exports and how Wisconsin’s agricultural productivity will do well in this market.
“Through much of recent history, there has been a surplus of food on the world market, but that has been reversed in the last two years, and now agricultural products are more in demand,” Black said.
Wisconsin also recently moved up to become the 18th largest exporting state in the U.S. in general exports, increasing 13.1 percent to reach a record $15.6 billion in revenue from exports. Wisconsin was formerly the 21st largest exporter in the nation in 2006.