Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe announced on March 9 that the state had reached an all-time high in agricultural (including forestry) exports for 2014. The value of products shipped surpassed $3.35 billion, which shatters previous records by more than 14 percent.
"Today’s record-breaking announcement is a testament to the combined work of so many in the private and public sectors and I applaud those efforts,” said McAuliffe. “Making Virginia the East Coast capital for agricultural and forestry exports is central to my administration’s efforts to build a new Virginia economy. By focusing on international trade growth, we generate many new revenue streams and job creation opportunities in Virginia, from our farms to our ports.”
In 2013, the state had reached a record total of $2.85 billion in agricultural and forestry exports. During his State of the Commonwealth address in January, McAuliffe predicted that exports would reach a minimum of $3 billion for 2014, breaking the record. Now, data supports his original claim.
“With approximately 30 percent of gross farm income linked to exports and more than 80 percent of the world’s consumers living outside of the United States, access to vibrant international markets is important to Virginia’s overall economic prosperity,” said Todd Haymore, secretary of Agriculture and Forestry in Virginia.
The top agricultural and forestry product exports from Virginia in 2014 were soybeans, soy oil, lumber, pork, unmanufactured leaf tobacco, and several processed foods and beverages. Its top three export markets were China, Canada, and Switzerland, which were also the same three markets that led the way in 2013.