Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon’s agricultural exporters responded Thursday to concerns over the global economic slowdown.

Statistics showed the state’s exports grew 17 percent in 2008, but slowed considerably by the end of year.

Central Oregon correspondent Ethan Lindsey reports.

The state’s strong export growth was helped in part by sales to China and other developing economies.

China passed Canada to become Oregon’s largest buyer, according to the Oregonian.

But China’s growth is slowing.

And that worries some exporters, including the software and high tech industries.

But Oregon’s agriculture industry says it has weathered global market slowdowns before.

And state farmers say they aren’t reliant on emerging Asian markets.

For instance, Oregon pear growers’ top markets are Mexico, Canada, Brazil and Russia.