Governor Glenn Youngkin has designated March 19 as Virginia Agriculture Trade Day to honor the significant impact of agricultural trade on the state’s economic landscape, farmers, and communities. This initiative recognizes the critical role that Virginia’s agricultural producers play in global food security.
Virginia stands out for its productive agricultural sector, which significantly contributes to both national and international food supply chains. In 2024, the leading export commodities from Virginia included soybeans, tobacco, poultry, wood products, specialty foods, cotton, and pork.
Matthew Lohr, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, highlighted the importance of agricultural exports, stating, “Agricultural exports provide significant support to Virginia’s rural communities, generate jobs, drive innovation, and connect local producers to global markets. Many Virginia commodity exporters have experienced recent growth in export sales, such as specialty foods to Germany, Hong Kong, and China. Virginia wine makers also enjoyed new export sales to the Nordic region and Latin America.”
The agriculture sector stands as the largest private industry in Virginia, with agriculture and forestry contributing over $105 billion to the economy and supplying more than 490,000 jobs. Each job in agriculture and forestry is linked to 1.6 additional jobs across the state’s economy.
Joseph Guthrie, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, expressed gratitude, saying, “I thank Virginia farmers and agribusinesses for the top-quality products they produce and the VDACS team that helps these products reach consumers around the world. In particular, the VDACS Office of International Marketing’s global network of eight trade offices provides Virginia’s agricultural and forestry producers with valuable services and export opportunities.”
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) supports international trade through its Office of International Marketing, which aids in assessing market potential, comprehending international regulations, identifying buyers, and facilitating product-specific export programs and marketing events. The office encourages companies to participate in trade shows and forge valuable partnerships to enhance product visibility.
To further promote agricultural trade, VDACS is co-hosting the Virginia Agricultural Trade Conference on April 22, 2025. This event, featuring prominent speakers, will address the challenges and opportunities facing Virginia’s global agricultural and forestry exports. More information and registration details are available at the conference website, with a registration deadline of April 3.
