02/20/07 Oregon`s Exports

Oregon's main export location. I'm Greg Martin with today's Line On Agriculture. Based on inspection and certification provided by the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Asia is still the state`s main export destination. Japan, Korea, and Hong Kong are the three top export markets for Oregon agricultural commodities, followed by Mexico and Canada. Those rankings are based on activity of inspectors from the Oregon Department of Agriculture who certify these commodities are pest and disease free, according to Jim Cramer, administrator of ODA`s Commodity Inspection Division: CRAMER: Our industry, on the fresh fruit and vegetable side of things, it`s a highly perishable commodity. The timeliness of getting the product inspected, certified, and the phytosanitary certificate issued to meet that importing country`s requirements, it`s critical. ODA inspection and certification for 2006 enabled 1.8 billion pounds of fresh product to be shipped to other countries with a value exceeding roughly 151 million dollars. That`s about 17 percent of all Oregon agricultural exports. CRAMER: Overall, our exports are up in most of our major commodities. Our potatoes, onions, hazelnuts still strong- has been a strong export market for us- apples, pears. They are up. Based on the all-important phytosanitary certificates issued by ODA, Oregon`s top export commodities, in order ,are grass straw and hay, hazelnuts, Christmas trees, pears, grass seed, cherries, onions, apples, potatoes, and blueberries. Cramer says with Oregon being so dependent on the export market, the service provided by ODA inspectors is crucial. CRAMER: Our industry absolutely depends on our ability to inspect and certify these products. Without us being in those locations of production to meet that export- the timeliness of it, the good delivery on the other end- it just couldn`t be met. Cramer says all the export activity for Oregon agriculture is reflected by the heavy work load put on ODA inspectors. CRAMER: 2006 has kept our staff very busy meeting the demands of the industry. That's today's Line On Agriculture. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.