Idaho’s agricultural exports—led by wheat and followed by dairy—are soaring, growing to $2.59 billion in 2013, according to state export data released by USDA Economic Research Service on Jan. 30.
The state’s ag exports in 2013 were double its 2007 exports, which totaled nearly $1.32 billion.
Global economic growth and an expanding middle class, particularly in Asia, are driving the increase in Idaho’s exports, said Laura Johnson, market development bureau chief at Idaho State Department of Agriculture.
China, for example has 300 million middle-class consumers demanding higher-value products, greater variety and more convenience, she said.
Quality and safety are becoming increasingly important in food purchases, and consumers around the world know they can rely on the quality and safety of Idaho products, she said.
In addition, Idaho exporters are providing the kinds of products consumers are seeking, she said.
Idaho ag exports ranked 20th in the nation in 2013 and claimed prestigious rankings in specific products, according to USDA statistics.
The state’s exports ranked fourth in dairy, fifth in both fresh and processed vegetables, sixth in wheat, ninth in beef, tenth in livestock, and 10th in “other”—which includes such items as sugar products, planting seeds, horticulture products, and processed foods.
Canada and Mexico were Idaho’s largest customer in 2013, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the state’s ag exports. But imports by Asian countries were also significant, accounting for about 36 percent of Idaho’s exports, according to data from Global Trade Information Services.
USDA doesn’t provide state data on export destination, but its Economic Research Service does a better job of capturing the state origin of exports. GTIS credits a lot of Idaho’s export products to other states where they head for markets through brokers and other companies, Johnson said.
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