Nebraska’s Trade Surge and Economic Rankings Boost State’s Global Profile

Nebraska’s agricultural exports to China rose 35% in 2023, while forestry and mining shipments added more than $1.2 billion to the state’s economy last year, reflecting a broader export expansion driven by sustainable farming, timber and mineral practices.

The state was ranked fifth overall in U.S. News & World Report’s best‑state list, placing third in infrastructure and eighth in fiscal stability. Unemployment stood at 2.9% in June 2026, well below the national rate. The USDA declared drought disaster areas in Lancaster, Saline and surrounding counties, making farmers eligible for emergency loans, a move highlighted by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. State Senator Paul Strommen noted these developments while attending the Statesmen Academy in Washington, D.C.