The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released its final total for fiscal year 2014 agricultural exports and they are indeed a new record.

The final tally was a big $152.5 billion, an increase of $11.5 billion or eight percent from last year’s record $141 billion.

“American farmers and ranchers have once again achieved another year of record exports Agricultural exports have climbed 41 percent in value over the past five years,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack of the accomplishment. “U.S. agricultural exports have increased in volume as well as in monetary value, which demonstrates an increasing global appetite for high-quality, American-grown products.”

Vilsack added that the Made in Rural America initiative, led by USDA, will continue to focus on investments in rural businesses, manufacturing, energy, water and other infrastructure development to further expand export opportunities and strengthen the nation’s economy.