The Port of Virginia has a huge impact on Virginia’s economy and has the potential to be very profitable for Virginia farmers as well.

Greg Edwards, director of external affairs for the Virginia Port Authority, overviewed the port and its potential value to farmers Nov. 29 during a workshop titled "Port of Virginia: Proximity & Potential Profit" at the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation 2011 Annual Convention in Norfolk.

"The Port of Virginia is the hometown port for Virginia farmers," Edwards said. "It’s close by, so why go somewhere farther away when you can utilize the port right here? Plus the Port of Virginia is very familiar with agriculture. Ag exports are a staple for the port, and we have a lot of experience handling agricultural products."

The Port of Virginia is the seventh-largest port in the country and the third-largest container port on the East Coast, with more than 1.7 million 20-foot equivalent units and 13 percent of the market share.

In 2010, 22 percent of all loaded containers carried agricultural products, a 25 percent increase since 2006. Virginia was ranked ninth nationally for agricultural exports in 2010. The state’s agricultural and forestry exports totaled $2.24 billion in 2010, and top exports included soybeans, grains, pork, poultry, tobacco, wood products, fats and oils, cotton, seafood, fresh vegetables and animal hides.

Agricultural exports are on the rise due to a weakened U.S. dollar and because it is easier for farmers to export their products, Edwards said.

Producers can export their goods using containers so that they avoid having to meet a higher volume threshold. "Instead of having to export 1,000 or 2,000 tons of a product, farmers can choose to fill two containers," Edwards said. "That’s achievable and has made exporting products more appealing to farmers."

Virginia’s top export markets include China, Morocco, Belgium, Indonesia, Venezuela, Mexico, Russia, Ireland and Japan.

Farmers with an interest in agricultural trade should contact the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for help with letters of credit and finding buyers for their products.

"When they’re ready to discuss moving their product, they should contact the Port of Virginia," Edwards said.

With more than 150,000 members in 88 county Farm Bureaus, VFBF is Virginia’s largest farmers’ advocacy group. Farm Bureau is a non-governmental, nonpartisan, voluntary organization committed to protecting Virginia’s farms and ensuring a safe, fresh and locally grown food supply.