12-5 IAN ID Exports

 Idaho Agriculture Exports Up 15 Percent!!

Export data recently released shows that Idaho food and agriculture exports for the first six months of the year are up 15 percent.  The result is especially significant since 2011 was a record-setting year.  Idaho is a state of great agricultural abundance and diversity. Since Idaho’s 1.5 million people cannot consume the bountiful production, it’s estimated that over 25 percent of Idaho’s agriculture products are exported to foreign markets. Idaho’s top agricultural export sector is dairy, which is up 10 percent over the first six months of 2011.   Dairy accounts for over 35 percent of Idaho’s total agriculture exports. Here is ISDA marketing head, Laura Johnson: “We are very pleased to see that export performance. It shows how important  exports are to Idaho’s economy, how important agriculture is in helping Idaho’s economy as well.” Top export markets for Idaho food and agriculture are Canada (up 14 percent), Mexico (up 32 percent), China (up 73 percent), Japan (down 12 percent) and South Korea (up 98 percent). Several factors have contributed to growth in these key markets, including a favorable exchange rate, trade agreements that reduce tariffs and export barriers, growing consumer demand and strong commodity prices.  In addition, the ISDA has had a comprehensive market development effort to assist agribusinesses with expanding international sales. Total exports from Idaho through June reached $2.7 billion.