Agriculture dept. announces record-breaking year for Michigan food and agriculture exports for second year in a row

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Tim Boring on Monday announced the state’s food and agriculture’s global footprint set another export record. Michigan’s food, agriculture, and forest products exports experienced an eight percent year-over-year growth for 2022 beating its own record from the year before. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Michigan’s food and agriculture exports totaled $2.7 billion in 2022.

"For the second year in a row, Michigan's food and agriculture industry has set a new record - with exports totaling $2.7 billion in 2022," said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. "The success of Michigan's agriculture industry is critical to expanding economic opportunities across our state while creating good-paying jobs for Michiganders. This is why we will continue to invest boldly in rural economic development and empowering farmers and agriculture businesses."

"Michigan continues to set the bar when it comes to quality food and agriculture products.  Our diverse food and agriculture industry helps drive the state’s economic engine while making our state a household name on a local, national, and global level," said Director Tim Boring. "Governor Whitmer is committed to taking steps to attract world businesses to Michigan while investing in its growth on an international scale as outlined in her executive budget recommendation. These annual export
figures directly reflect the hard work and dedication of our food and agriculture business."

Michigan consistently ranks as one of the most agriculturally diverse states in the nation resulting in a wide array of exported products ranging from bulk soybeans to dried fruit, pickles, and baked goods. Demand for these high-quality, dependable products continues to grow in local markets, online retailers, and supercenters across the globe.

Overall, processed food products ($470 million) represented the highest total value of Michigan’s exported food and agriculture products in 2022. Other top product categories are sugar beet, soybean, soybean residue, brewing waste and animal feed ($335 million), dairy products ($263 million), wood products ($247 million), and edible meat products ($232 million).

"It's clear there is a strong consumer demand for delicious, reliable, and quality Michigan products across the world," said Jamie Zmitko-Somers, MDARD's Agriculture Development Division director. “At MDARD, we're proud of our commitment to collaborating and partnering with our food and agriculture industry to ensure Michigan products are available worldwide. We’re thrilled to see international tastebuds are seeking out food grown and processed in the Great Lakes State."

MDARD’s International Marketing Program works to assist Michigan food and agricultural businesses in developing domestic and international market opportunities.

Opportunities include buyers/trade missions, trade shows, market research, and more. Events such as the Focused Trade Mission to Toronto for Specialty and Natural Products (foodexport.org) can help companies by setting them up with one on one meetings with interested buyers helping companies to expand their market. To see all MDARD events for 2023, visit miagexport.com.  For additional infomration about how the International Marketing Program helps businesses in Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/mdard/business-development/international-marketing.