Tallahassee, FL – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services released its annual international agriculture report today, revealing exports increased to $4.1 billion last year, an increase of 2 percent from the previous year.
The report is timely given the department’s participation in the state’s 11th Annual Florida-Japan Summit this week, where marketing representatives highlighted Florida’s $108 billion agriculture industry and the department’s “Fresh From Florida” marketing efforts.
“Florida’s agricultural products are of the highest quality, and we’re proud to see international demand on the rise,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “Increasing exports of ‘Fresh From Florida’ products creates jobs here at home.”
Florida exports agricultural products to more than 170 countries and territories each year, according to the agricultural export report. Canada continues to be the leading destination, receiving almost a quarter of exports, followed by the Netherlands, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic and Panama. The fastest growing major markets include South Korea, Germany, Chile, Brazil and Hong Kong.
The state’s leading export commodities include meat, fruit, vegetables, nuts and fish. Florida continues to be a leader in the production and export of grapefruit – especially to Japan – oranges, orange juice, strawberries, blueberries and watermelon. The fastest-growing exports included pure-bred breeding horses, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes and snap beans.
Last year, the department partnered with 23 retail grocers representing 1,337 stores outside of the U.S. and Canada to promote “Fresh From Florida” products. More than 15,000 store advertisements generated an estimated $15 million increase in cash receipts to Florida farmers, directly supporting 400 jobs. Florida’s $4.1 billion in agricultural exports last year generated a total economic impact of more than $13 billion, supported more than 108,000 jobs and yielded $387 million in state and local taxes.
At the time the report was released, the department’s marketing staff hosted Japanese officials on tours of South Florida farmers markets, restaurants and grocery stores on the second day of the Florida-Japan Summit. The officials expressed interest in learning how the state’s “Fresh From Florida” marketing program connects food producers and buyers in the state, national and international markets. The annual summit, hosted by the Southeast U.S./Japan Association, provides an opportunity to promote trade, investment and friendship between Japan and seven Southern states.
Click here to see the entire report. For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit www.FreshFromFlorida.com.