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If you're a farmer or rancher in Washington state, you're optimistic about the economy. And new numbers issued by the state Department of Agriculture Tuesday back up your optimism: Exports of food and agriculture products topped $9.3 billion in 2007, a 38 percent increase from 2006.
Among other things, the increase in exports stems from strong yields by Washington growers, high prices producers are getting for their commodities and the low dollar which makes the state's products more attractive to international buyers.
"We will continue to focus on reducing foreign barriers to our farm products and hosting foreign buyers looking for the best available products here in Washington," said Valoria Loveland, director of the state agriculture department. In fact, Washington is the third largest exporter of U.S. food and agriculture products. About one-third of Washington-grown products are shipped overseas.
In 2007, the value of agriculture products exported from Washington includes:
* Wheat $1.3 billion
* Apples, cherries and other fruit $783 million
* Fish and seafood $617 million
* Processed foods $559 million
* Dairy products $399 million
* Hay $294 million
* Vegetables $225 million
* Prepared meat/fish/etc. $215 million
* Meat $162 million
And the dollar value of exports to seven of the eight leading destinations increased significantly. The leading destinations for the state's food and agricultural products (excluding soybeans and corn) were:
* Japan $1.05 billion
* Canada $965 million
* Mexico $286 million
* Philippines $276 million
* Taiwan $268 million
* Korea $231 million
* Indonesia $222 million
* China $206 million
