Florida Ag Exports Up

July 13, 2014

With growth in exports such as breeding horses, strawberries and tomatoes, Florida’s international agricultural exports totaled about $4.1 billion in 2013, up 1.9 percent from the previous year, according to a report released recently.

The leading export commodities included meat, prepared foods and prepared fruits and vegetables, including orange and grapefruit juice.

The report, released by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, said Canada is by far the largest destination for agricultural exports, accounting for nearly a quarter of the exports. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said increasing exports leads to more jobs in Florida.

“Florida’s agricultural products are of the highest quality, and we’re proud to see international demand on the rise,” Putnam said in a statement accompanying the release of the report.

While it is a relatively small part of the overall total, the $22.8 million in sales of pure-bred breeding horses last year was a 32.2 percent increase over 2012. The report said the horses were sold in places such as the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Brazil, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, Florida’s sales of fresh grapefruit continued to decline last year.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News