Gov. Rick Snyder: Michigan Food and Agricultural Industry Exports Continue to Grow

Press Release

Gov. Rick Snyder has traveled around the globe to tell the story of Michigan's food and agricultural products, and the work in paying off through increased sales around the world.

Michigan's overall food and agricultural exports continued to grow in 2013, reaching $3.53 billion annually, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

That's an 8.9 percent increase from the year before. Agricultural exports doubled since 2010, in line with Gov. Rick Snyder's goal to double the exports by 2015 to $3.5 billion.

"These new figures highlight the high consumer demand for top quality and diverse agricultural products Michigan offers in the worldwide marketplace," Snyder said. "Exports continue to play a vital role in growing our economy as numerous Michigan food and agriculture companies are expanding into new global markets."

The food and agriculture industry is one of Michigan's "big three," and Snyder has spoken about the quality of state products on trade missions to Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

The 2014 South Korea trade mission led to $1.4 million in anticipated sales in the next 12 months, and three Michigan companies reported 42 contacts with new international buyers.

The top five export markets for Michigan agricultural exports in 2013 were Canada, Japan, Mexico, South Korea and China. The top agricultural exports were other plant products, soybean and soybean meal, dairy products, wheat, as well as processed fruit and nuts.

Nationally, Michigan ranks fifth in processed and fresh fruit exports, sixth for other processed plant products, and seventh for both fresh and processed vegetables as well as dairy products.

"Meeting the goal for agricultural exports speaks volumes to the superiority of the product grown and produced in Michigan," said Jamie Clover Adams, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development director.

"As new markets open up and demand increases for Michigan made and grown products, there are new and expanding opportunities for our producers and food business sales overseas."

Behind this increase in export sales are many food and agricultural companies who have increased production and overcome obstacles to enter new markets and grow their business overseas.

Continental Dairy Facilities, the 2014 Michigan Ag Exporter of the Year, is one of the reasons Michigan saw over 30 percent increase in dairy exports from 2012 to 2013. The Coopersville-based company in 2013 exported 75 percent of its nonfat milk powder to 14 countries, including Algeria, Mexico, China and Vietnam.

USDA estimates that every $1 in agricultural exports generates another $1.22 in economic activity, meaning Michigan's total agriculture exports of $3.53 billion has a local impact of an additional $4.3 billion.

Additionally, it is estimated that every billion dollars in food and agriculture exports generates 8,402 jobs, resulting in over 29,000 Michigan jobs supported by exports. Economic impacts are seen both on farm, and off farm in food processing, storage, and transportation.

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