By: JOHN REID BLACKWELL |Richmond Times-Dispatch
Agricultural exports from Virginia reached a record high in 2011, surpassing the mark set in 2009.
Virginia exported $2.35 billion in agricultural products last year, a more than 6 percent increase from 2010, Gov. Bob McDonnell said this afternoon during his keynote remarks at the Governor’s Conference on Agricultural Trade in Richmond.
“The driver of the increase is soybeans, grains and meat products, and increased demand in Asia, Europe and North Africa,” ” said Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore in an interview during the conference.
The state’s top three export markets last year were the same as 2010, although in different order.
Morocco is now Virginia’s top agricultural export customer with exports totaling more than $360 million in 2011, up from $180 million and the third spot in 2010.
Grains drove the increase in shipments to Morocco, Haymore said.
“It’s the need for more grains to feed themselves and feed their livestock,” he said. “And I think because of some of the political uncertainty in that part of North Africa, they are probably buying and stockpiling more. Working with our agribusinesses, we are able to capitalize on these opportunities when they are out there.”
China saw its exports grow to $304 million from $194 million in 2010 largely on new soybean shipments.
Canada, which had been the state’s top export market in 2010, is now Virginia’s third largest export customer with $220 million.
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