Colorado’s agricultural exports are continuing to grow in the first two months of the year. Compared to the first two months of 2011, Colorado’s ag exports this year are up 25%, at roughly $222 million overall.
Dairy exports are up 80%, to $14 million; and meat exports are up by more than $30 million.
Tim Larsen with the state Department of Agriculture says Canada remains the biggest importer of Colorado ag products, bringing in roughly $57 million so far.
He says Mexico is right behind with $55.1 million – which, according to Larsen, represents an almost 47% increase over the first two months of last year.
That increase has Mexico emerging as Colorado’s fastest-growing export market, which is why the state sent a trade delegation including Gov. John Hickenlooper and Agriculture Secretary John Salazar there last month.
“Colorado’s agricultural industry continues to be a shining light in a difficult economy,” Salazar said in a press release. “We continue to work for greater market access in Mexico and will work in partnership with our agricultural industries to develop those opportunities.”
Larsen says a few barriers are still slowing trade there, including being limited to markets along a small strip at the U.S. – Mexico border.
“We export 50-plus percent of all the fresh potatoes to Mexico – and that represents roughly five 18-wheel semi trucks a day leaving the San Luis Valley for Mexico,” Larsen says. “The industry feels that when we get full access to Mexico, that increase could be a full four-fold increase – 20 truckloads a day, just filled with fresh potatoes.”
- Colorado remains the top U.S. exporter of beef to Canada, number two to Japan – and is the third-largest beef exporter to Mexico.
- Egypt and Chile have become the 6th and 7th largest markets for Colorado beef.
- Dairy exports grew almost 80% in the first two months of this year; 92% of dairy exports went to Mexico, with additional exports to countries including Pakistan, Indonesia, Korea, Australia and Bermuda.
