Wisconsin agriculture exports increase

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin’s agriculture exports are a bright spot in the state’s economy.

Ag exports increased 24 percent from January through September compared to the same period last year. Wisconsin exported more than $2 billion worth of agricultural products during the first three quarters of the year. That breaks a previous record set just last year when $1.7 billiion in goods were exported during the same quarters.

The state agriculture department says Wisconsin leads the nation in exporting yeast and baking powders, bakery dough, ginseng root, flaxseed and bovine semen. The state is second in the nation in exporting cheese, beer, mink fur skins and baby formula.

Wisconsin sells to 140 countries, including the top markets of Canada, Mexico, South Korea, China and Japan.