Mark Andersen, USSEC Industry Relations Director, attended the Virginia Governor's Conference on Agricultural Trade in Richmond, Virginia on March 7^th and 8th, 2013.

In 2012, Virginia increased its exports to reach $2.6 billion, a 12% increase over the previous year.  Soy remains Virginia’s number one export and a significant contributor to the overall increase in the state’s exports.  Virginia’s top exported products are soybeans ($734 million), followed by soybean meal ($345 million), with wood products in third place ($217 million).  Soybean oil was a notable sixth on Virginia’s export list at $143 million. The Perdue company's Norfolk, VA-based soy operation is a significant exporter.

China was the number one importer of Virginia products followed by Mexico, Morocco, Switzerland and Turkey.  Considerable importance is being put on the increased capacity of the Panama Canal.  The expanded canal is scheduled to open in 2014 and is expected to further boost exports.