Washington agriculture exports rise again
Don Jenkins
Capital Press
Don Jenkins/Capital Press A ship takes on cargo Nov. 20 at the Kalama Export Co. grain terminal at the Port of Kalama on the Columbia River. Washington agricultural exports increased by nearly 30 percent in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period last year.
Washington agricultural exports rose for a fourth-straight quarter over the previous year, the state's Economic and Revenue Forecast Council reports.
OLYMPIA — Agricultural products exported from Washington ports increased by nearly 30 percent in the third quarter of this year compared to last year, the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council reported Nov. 19.
It was the fourth straight quarter the council has reported an increase in agricultural exports, which includes food raised or grown in other states. For its report, the council relies on trade data provided by a private company.
The categories driving the increased exports were grains and oilseeds, and fruits and nuts, the council’s director, Steve Lerch, said.
Agricultural exports and Boeing Co. jetliners allowed the state to post a 9 percent gain in total exports, according to the council.
The council nudged up slightly the tax revenue the state expects to receive during the current two-year budget cycle to $33.44 billion. Lerch cautioned that slowing economies in China, Japan and Europe could drag down expectations.
Agricultural exports posted a 62 percent increase in the second quarter of 2014.
Exports figures are prone to large swings. Washington’s agricultural exports declined in 2013 by 50 percent in the second quarter and 43 percent in the third quarter. Since then, exports have been rising.
The Washington Department of Agriculture’s international marketing manager, Joe Bippert, said global developments that open and close markets can cause exports to fluctuate.
He attributed the yearlong trend toward higher exports to the reputation of U.S. food producers.
“The people in overseas markets are really trending toward products they can rely on for high quality and safety,” he said.
Other factors pushing exports up include the Obama administration’s trade initiatives and large harvests, he said.
“It helps to have more food to supply the world,” Bippert said.
For the third quarter, corn helped drive up Washington’s export totals.
Washington’s largest commodity, wheat, saw a decline in exports over the year before, but other state-grown crops such as cherries, lentils, apples, peas and chickpeas had increased exports.
U.S. agricultural exports have increased by 41 percent over the past five years, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Exports reached a record $152 billion for the federal fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, breaking the previous record of $141 billion set the year before.
Source: http://www.capitalpress.com/Business/20141120/washington-agriculture-exports-rise-again
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