Perched on the Northwestern edge of the United States, Washington is the closest U.S. port to Asia. As the world's population grows, we will need to provide more and more food. About a quarter of everything we grow in Washington is sold and eaten right here at home.
Japan is our largest market, followed by Korea, Canada and Latin American countries.
We export 90 percent of the wheat we grow. Washington apples are shipped to more than 30 countries. The ships that carry fruits are really just big, floating refrigerators. Most food products are loaded into containers that fit inside and on the decks of the ships. Not all Washington produce goes on an ocean cruise.