LANSING, Mich. – State officials have announced that Michigan agricultural and food exporters had an unusually good year in 2021, especially considering all the challenges arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the announcement from the Michigan Dept. of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) in mid-April, Michigan food, agriculture and forest product exports experienced a 19 percent year-over-year growth in 2021. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Michigan’s food and agriculture exports totaled $2.5 billion in 2021.

“Michigan’s food and agriculture industry is thriving with 19 percent annual growth and $2.5 billion in exports,” said Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “It continues to uplift Michigan’s economy and make a local, national and global impact. Michigan’s agriculture industry is critical to expanding economic opportunities and creating more good paying jobs for Michiganders. We will stay focused on investing in rural economic development, empowering farmers and agriculture businesses, and ensuring that the words ‘Made in Michigan’ are seen around the world.”

Overall, processed food products represented the highest total value of Michigan’s exported food and agriculture products in 2021, at $437 million. This product category alone accounted for a $72 million increase over 2020 exports totals. Other top product categories included soybeans, sugar beets, and wheat byproducts at $304 million, dairy products at $234 million, wood products at $230 million and edible meat products at $215 million.

“As everyone knows there continue to be supply chain challenges, transportation challenges, just getting products to the ports, labor challenges and other challenges such as weather,” said Jamie Zmitko-Somers, director of the agriculture development division at MDARD. “Cherry and apple harvests in Michigan were down in 2021 due to weather issues. It really is amazing that they’ve been able to grow exports and continue to grow our exports in Michigan. I think noteworthy is our top exports markets continue to be Canada and Mexico. China has jumped back up to the number three position far as exports from Michigan are concerned.

“We saw pretty substantial growth in processed food exports from Michigan as well,” Zmitko-Somers added. “We saw double digit growth for processed food exports compared to 2020. We in Michigan have certainly seen processed food products exports increase the last few years. It’s all really good news.” 

In 2021, the top international markets for food and agriculture exports from Michigan were Canada at $1.19 billion, Mexico at $292 million, China at $168 million, South Korea at $163 million and Japan at $146 million. These countries are often at or near the top as export destinations from Michigan. International demand for high quality, dependable and safe to consume products continues to grow in markets both online and in traditional grocery stores all around the world.