DENVER (AP) – Colorado officials say the state’s agricultural exports through the first half of 2012 are up 18 percent from the same period last year.

The state agriculture department said Wednesday the state had $710.1 million in agriculture exports through June, led by increased exports in meats, dairy, wheat and dry beans. The total is up $107.1 million from the same period in 2011.

Canada, Mexico and Japan are among the top export markets for Colorado agricultural products. Exports to all three of those markets are up through the first half of 2012 compared with the same period last year.

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