Posted: Saturday, February 23, 2013 -- 5:43 a.m.
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- State officials say Wisconsin exported a record amount of agricultural products in 2012.
The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says about $2.9 billion worth of agricultural goods were exported last year -- a 3 percent increase over 2011.
The state's best markets for agricultural products are Canada, Mexico, China, Korea and Japan. Canada is the top destination, importing $1.4 billion of products from Wisconsin.
The market showing the biggest growth in 2012 was China with a 49% increase in Wisconsin agricultural imports. The top exports to China last year were hides and skins, animal feed and dairy-related products.
The most valuable agricultural export for Wisconsin in 2012 was beverages, which is primarily ethanol, at $400 million. The state ranks second in the nation in exporting ethanol, just behind Texas.
