March 19, 2025

March 19 Proclaimed as Virginia Agriculture Trade Day

Governor Glenn Youngkin has declared March 19 as Virginia Agriculture Trade Day, in recognition of the enormous contribution agricultural trade makes to the state’s economy, farmers, and communities. Virginia Agriculture Trade Day honors the Commonwealth’s farmers and related agricultural businesses and the role they play in feeding people around the globe.

Virginia’s agricultural producers are among the most productive in the world and play a vital role in food security, both nationally and abroad. In 2024, Virginia’s top export commodities were soybeans, tobacco, poultry, wood products, specialty foods, cotton, and pork.

“Agricultural exports provide significant support to Virginia’s rural communities, generate jobs, drive innovation, and connect local producers to global markets,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr. “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.”

Agriculture is Virginia’s largest private industry. The industries of agriculture and forestry together have a total economic impact of over $105 billion and provide more than 490,000 jobs in the state. Every job in agriculture and forestry supports 1.6 jobs elsewhere in Virginia’s economy.

“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,” said Joseph Guthrie, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (VDACS) Office of International Marketing promotes Virginia’s agricultural, food and forest product producers and helps them assess market potential, understand international regulations, identify buyers, and learn about product-specific export programs and marketing events. The office also provides opportunities and assistance to Virginia companies for product-specific trade shows and valuable partnerships to increase product exposure. For more information on the VDACS office of International Marketing, please visit www.vdacs.virginia.gov/marketing-international-marketing.shtml.

VDACS is helping further agricultural trade by co-hosting the Virginia Agricultural Trade Conference on April 22, 2025. This event will feature distinguished speakers who will discuss challenges and opportunities for Virginia’s global agricultural and forestry exports. For more information, please visit https://vafb.swoogo.com/VaAgTrade25. The registration deadline is April 3.