VIRGINIA’S AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTRY EXPORTS SET RECORD AT $5.1 BILLION

RICHMOND |On April 11, 2023, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the latest data for Virginia’s agricultural and forestry exports at the Virginia Inland Port facility in Richmond. According to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), Virginia’s 2022 agricultural and forestry exports were valued at more than $5.1 billion, surpassing the previous record set in 2021 by 25%.

The Governor expressed his excitement about the data and praised the strength of Virginia’s first and third-largest private industries. He also highlighted the successful relationships established between Virginia’s producers and international buyers, stating that “these export numbers speak to the high quality and value of Virginia products.”

Virginia’s top agricultural and forestry exports for 2022 were soybeans, animal products, tobacco, wood products, and beer. Soybeans alone earned over $2.3 billion, while wood products earned more than $509 million. One of the most significant increases of 2022 was in wood pellets, which saw a 1,379% increase versus the yearly average, likely due to increased demand in Europe and Asia.

Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Matthew Lohr, also praised Virginia’s premier transportation system, which he believes gives the state a strategic advantage in exporting products to international markets. “Virginia producers benefit from the Commonwealth’s premier transportation system, which is anchored by the Port of Virginia,” said Lohr.

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