Ag Officials Pushing Increased Exports In GA

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) - Officials say exports are the key to increasing sales for Georgia's agricultural industry.

The dean of the University of Georgia's agriculture college, J. Scott Angle, says the state must concentrate on getting its farm products to people who can buy them.

Poultry industry leader Jim Sumner says export production is the only justification for increased production in the United States since domestic demand is slowing and costs are rising.

The Athens Banner-Herald reports that statistics presented Friday show that some $2.64 billion worth of chickens, pecans, cotton and other farm items were exported from Savannah in the most recent statistical year. That represents a jump of 129 percent in six years.Preliminary data shows state farm exports increased by half in 2012.