Wisconsin agriculture exports just hit a record high. The state reached $2.13 billion in the first half of 2026, marking a 5.42 percent increase over last year.
The Wisconsin International Agribusiness Center’s second-quarter report for 2026 shows the highest first-half year on record. This surge makes Wisconsin the 10th largest U.S. exporter of agricultural products.
Gov. Tony Evers celebrated the milestone but issued a warning. He cautioned that President Trump’s trade wars and fluctuating tariffs could threaten America’s Dairyland’s new top-ten status.
The Supreme Court recently struck down Trump’s tariffs on Canada. Additionally, a federal trade court ruled against replacement tariffs.
The Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE) played a key role in this growth. The Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) launched this five-year funding plan in 2021. The initiative aims to boost dairy, meat, and crop exports by 25 percent. It also gives DATCP flexibility to navigate changing markets. Evers credits the WIAE for elevating Wisconsin’s export ranking from 13th to 10th.
