Though today much of the world is mired in an economic downturn, in recent decades many emerging countries have grown more prosperous, meaning more exporting opportunities for Ohio farmers.
"More people around the world have more disposable income than ever before and one of the first things they want is better food," said Cornely.
But exporting agricultural products is hardly static. Poor weather in one region of the world could mean profits in other areas of the world.
Cornely recalled a time recently when dairy prices were high, but then crashed when a drought in Australia ended and that country was able to produce more of its own dairy products again.
It's not just the weather, either, but other factors including transportation and production costs.
"For the most part, bulk commodities are in a world market. One year a country will be buying and another year they'll be selling," he said. "Commodities will flow to where the greatest demand is."
Cornely said domestic consumers have no reason to worry about too much food going abroad.
"There's enough to go around. There's sufficient product. What will change is the flow and the (cost)," he said.
Ag leaders in the state, meanwhile, want more exporting opportunities and are asking federal leaders to help them move into new countries.
Ohio Farm Bureau is calling on President Barack Obama and Congress to enact pending free trade agreements with Columbia, Panama and South Korea.
"Ninety-five percent of our potential customers live outside our borders. Exporting to them accounts for a lot of paychecks and a lot of tax revenue. The public conversation needs to recognize this reality," said Jack Fisher, executive vice president of the Farm Bureau.
The trade agreements improve market access and reduce tariffs.
"The world wants to buy what we're good at making and growing. That's a strength we need to capitalize on," Fisher said.
The American Farm Bureau Federation estimates that at the end of this year there will be more than 600 bilateral or regional trade agreements in place around the world with the United States included in fewer than 25.
"Our competitors are making deals. We're sitting on the sidelines," Fisher said. "The statistics paint a very clear picture of just how significant this piece of our economy is."
According to the state Department of Development, last year Ohio exported nearly $34.1 billion in all products, ranking Ohio as the seventh largest exporting state.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service is forecasting a record harvest for corn and soybeans this year, according to Farm World magazine. Ohio is among the top growers of corn and soybeans., RICK ADAMCZAK, Daily Reporter Staff Writer, Copyright 2010, The Daily Reporter, 580 S. High St., Columbus, OH., For years, decades even, corn and other food grown in Ohio has ended up
on dinner tables around the world, from China to Europe and most places
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