Virginia’s proactive approach to international trade has landed the state $4.5 million in new export sales of soybean products to Southeast Asian markets.

Agriculture officials from the Canadian and Mexican embassies detailed benefits of the North American Free Trade Agreement for their countries’ respective industries at the ninth annual Governor’s Conference on Agricultural Trade.

The ninth annual Governor’s Conference on Agricultural Trade is set for March 6-7 in Richmond, and agricultural leaders are calling it a timely opportunity to highlight the value of farm and forest exports to the state and national economies.

State and county Farm Bureau leaders are urging Congress to pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement this fall.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced Aug. 2 that Virginia will invest $850,000 over the biennial budget to expand its international trade initiatives promoting Virginia’s agriculture and forestry products.

Farm and forestry exports from Virginia in 2015 were valued at $3.19 billion, 4.7 percent less than in 2014.

Speakers at the eighth annual Governor’s Conference on Agricultural Trade highlighted agreements that could boost agriculture and forestry exports and animal health issues that can hinder them.

The Virginia Port Authority earlier this year signed a memorandum of understanding with the Cuban National Port Authority to evaluate commercial opportunities between the Port of Virginia and Cuba’s newly opened Port of Mariel Special Development Project.

Three Virginia specialty food companies are set to begin exporting their products into Canada. 

Why do Virginia apple growers care how many West Coast apples are shipped to China? China is a growing world market, and a domestic over-supply of Washington state apples could hurt Virginia apple prices.