Coles Hill, 2010
By STEVE SZKOTAK
NORFOLK, Va.
Defying a down economy and official expectations, Virginia agricultural exports reached a record $2.3 billion in 2009, ranking the state among the top 10 farm and forestry exporters in the U.S.
"This is Virginia's greatest business," Gov. Bob McDonnell told a farm-export forum on Wednesday.
He said global exports from Virginia's $79 billion farm and forestry industry are key to economic success at home.
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"As Virginia's overseas markets continue to grow, our farmers and agribusinesses will continue to create new jobs and retain existing ones," McDonnell said in remarks prepared for delivery at the second International Virginia Agricultural Trade Conference.
McDonnell told farmers, trade representatives from Canada, Japan and South America and port officials that Virginia is committed to cutting red tape and eliminating state regulations that unduly impede agricultural growth and trade. He used the forum to release the latest trade numbers.
The 2009 exports represent a 5 percent increase over 2008 and rank the state ninth nationally for farm exports, up from the 11th spot in 2008.
"This is great, great news for Virginia agriculture," Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore said in an interview. "About five months ago we were expecting our numbers to be off anywhere from 3 to 5 percent."
Overall U.S. farm exports were down 14 percent in 2009.
Haymore made international exports a cornerstone of his 2 1/2 years leading Virginia's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and he's found a receptive ear with the McDonnell administration. The governor has proposed establishing trade offices around the globe as part of his economic development package, which is subject to General Assembly approval.
The top export destination for Virginia agricultural products in 2009 was Canada, with $198 million worth of products, followed by China with $169 million. Other top destinations were Morocco, Indonesia, Turkey and Switzerland.
Top export products were soybeans, wheat, corn, barley, leaf tobacco, wood products, meat and poultry.
Haymore credits the quality and diversity of Virginia's agricultural products and its busy, ice-free Hampton Roads port for driving farm exports. Haymore also added McDonnell to that list.
"The governor has made it very clear to me that my top priority is to move more agricultural and forestry products into the marketplace," Haymore said. "When the governor gives you a mandate, you need to work to follow through on it."
Read more:
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9E7BKT82.htm
