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Wisconsin issues record number of export certificates

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) issued a record 3,300 plant product export certificates from January through March of this year. This is 11 percent more than the previous record set in 2010. Department officials credit the economic boom in Asian markets for the growth.

Exporters need phytosanitary or plant health certificates to ship plants or plant materials to other countries. Corn, soybean and wood products make up 98 percent of the certified shipments.

Exporters can get certificates from USDA but DATCP’s Greg Helmbrect says they can usually turn the applications around much faster at his department.

The total value of products shipped under certification from DATCP was $870 million last year.