Kansas agricultural exports reached a record-high in 2011, according to new data from U.S.  Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service.

More than $3.68 billion in agricultural exports were recorded last year.  This is the second time that exports exceeded $3 billion, passing the previous record of $3.06 billion set in 2008.

“Agriculture is key to the Kansas economy, and a record-setting 2011 is great news,” said Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Dale Rodman.  “These numbers show just how important agriculture is to our state.”

Exports of red meat were the largest segment of the state’s agricultural exports. Valued at more than $1.01 billion, red meat exports saw a 36.16 percent increase from 2010 levels, which represents 8.73 percent of total Kansas exports. The second largest agricultural export, wheat, accounted for more than $938 million in value and was a 166.98 percent increase from 2010 levels.

Mexico was the largest export market for Kansas agricultural products again in 2011.  Kansas agricultural products were exported to 105 different countries.