Agriculture is big business in our state - and supports the family farm as well as agribusiness - in communities in every corner of the state. In 2007, Washington State's farmers and ranchers produced $8.3 billion in food and agricultural products. This places the Evergreen State as the 12th largest producer in the United States.
Nearly $9.3 billion in food and agricultural products were exported through Washington ports in 2007, the third largest total in the U.S. The figure includes agricultural commodities, primarily grains, from other states exported from Washington.
Washington's Agricultural Areas
Click on a County Name for general and agricultural statistics
Among all U.S. states, Washington ranks:
- Number one in the harvest of apples, sweet cherries, pears, concord and Niagara grapes, red raspberries, corn and carrots for processing, hops, spearmint oil, wrinkled seed peas, and lentils
- Number two in the production of apricots, tart cherries, asparagus, dry edible peas, peppermint oil, potatoes, and green peas for processing
- Number two in the export of seafood
- Number two in the diversity of crops grown (over 300)
- Number three in the export of food and agriculture products
Washington's Rank in the Nation's Agricultural Production
Export Statistics
Washington is a major producer of food and agriculture products, the ninth largest in the U.S.
In 2006, Washington exported $6.72 billion worth of food and agricultural products, an increase of 74% since 2002, when agricultural exports were $3.87 billion.
About two-thirds of all farm exports are destined for Asia. Washington ports are the closest mainland U.S. ports to Asia. Japan, China, Canada, Taiwan, and South Korea are the top five markets for Washington agricultural products.
As the result of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and declines in the Asian market, Canada has become Washington's second largest market.
Washington State Food and Agriculture Market
2006
Source: Washington State Department of Agriculture