For the Tomahawk Leader

WISCONSIN – Citing U.S. Census trade data, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) earlier this month said Wisconsin’s food, forestry and agriculture product exports set record highs in 2022.

A release from DATCP said exports were shipped to 142 countries, totaling nearly $4.22 billion – a 7% increase from the previous record in 2021.

“U.S. Census data shows that dairy product exports totaled $617 million, up 32% from 2021, the highest level on record and more than $100 million above the previous record year in 2014,” DATCP stated. “Crop products, including grains, wood and vegetables, increased more than 5% to $2.82 billion, a 10-year high.”

Meat products declined 2% to $782 million, according to DATCP.

In total, U.S. agricultural exports exceeded $220 billion in 2022, up 10% from the year prior.

Wisconsin now ranks 12th in the nation for agricultural exports.

“This record-breaking year again presents an opportunity to strengthen our state as a leader in agricultural exports,” said DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski. “Building off of last year, this momentum, the investments of Governor Tony Evers and the work of DATCP’s International Agribusiness Center positions Wisconsin agribusinesses well for the next year.”

DATCP said Evers has “advocated for strategic investments in Wisconsin’s agricultural exports, and the 2021-23 budget marked the first time that state funding was allocated to the DATCP International Agribusiness Center (IABC) to promote Wisconsin agriculture exports.”

“The funding, which received bipartisan support in the state legislature, supported IABC initiatives that create opportunities, facilitate connections and help eliminate barriers for new and existing exporters,” DATCP stated. “This support helps Wisconsin agribusinesses build on their success and develop pathways to new markets.”

DATCP noted that Evers has proposed “further investments in Wisconsin’s agricultural exports” in his 2023-25 budget.

DATCP’s IABC is working collaboratively with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to implement the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE) plan.

“This plan provides flexibility to respond to exporting challenges and facilitates unique opportunities that connect exporters with international markets and buyers,” DATCP stated.

More on the WIAE can be found on the DATCP website at www.bit.ly/3YUyK7F.

DATCP said the latest release of U.S. Census data shows that post-pandemic demand is driving export growth in several markets as logistics challenges decrease.

“Wisconsin’s top five markets, making up more than two-thirds of total exports, are Canada, China, Mexico, Korea and Japan,” DATCP stated. “Canada, Mexico and Korea showed double-digit increases in 2022, while Japan remained unchanged from 2021.”