Missouri companies set export record in 2006

International sales to 191 countries increased 22.1 percent, or $2.4 billion, last year compared to 2005’s record of $10.4 billion.

In addition, 12 Missouri product categories topped $200 million in sales: transportation equipment, chemicals, machinery, food and kindred products, electrical equipment, computer and electronic products, fabricated metal products, waste and scrap, mineral and ores, primary metal manufacturing, agricultural products, and plastics and rubber products.

Missouri’s top 10 export recipients last year were Canada, South Korea, Mexico, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Australia and the Netherlands.

About 95 percent of Missouri’s businesses have fewer than 50 employees.