BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — Georgia Ports Authority officials say a strong wheat crop has led to an increase in exports from the Port of Brunswick.
Ports officials say the first export vessel of the season departed Thursday and between 90,000 and 100,000 tons of wheat moved through the Colonel's Island Terminal.
Georgia Ports Executive Director Curtis Foltz says increased overseas marketing helped Georgia farmers plant and export more of the crop.
U.S. Department of Agriculture officials say farmland dedicated to wheat production in Georgia ballooned from 230,000 acres in 2012 to 350,000 acres in 2013.
Agriculture officials say that translated to a 70.8 percent increase in wheat production.
Officials say most wheat being shipped through Georgia ports was produced in the state, but some was also produced in Florida, Alabama and South Carolina.
