Commissioner Sid Miller Thursday recognized March 19 as Texas Agriculture Trade Day by emphasizing the critical role international trade plays in supporting Texas agriculture and the broader state economy.
Texas ranks among the nation’s leading agricultural exporting states, with more than $8.5 billion in agricultural products exported annually, including top commodities such as cotton, beef, dairy products, and feed grains. Approximately $455 billion in Texas goods are shipped to global markets yearly, accounting for roughly 17.6 percent of Texas’ GDP and supporting about 1.2 million jobs statewide. In addition, more than 40,000 Texas companies export goods internationally, and over 90 percent of those exporters are small and medium‑sized businesses.
“Texas farmers and ranchers don’t just feed and clothe our nation. They help feed and clothe the world,” Commissioner Miller said. “When we expand access to global markets, we create new opportunities for Texas producers, strengthen rural economies, and keep American agriculture competitive.”
“Promoting Texas agriculture at home and abroad is a core mission of the Texas Department of Agriculture,” Miller added.
