Missouri exports grow 16% in 2005

Gov. Matt Blunt reported Thursday that Missouri exports brought in $10.5 billion in sales last year, up 16 percent, or $1.5 billion, from 2004.

“The phenomenal growth in exports means that our businesses are experiencing increased sales and our citizens have access to more high quality, family-supporting jobs, and that is good news for Missouri's economy,” Blunt said in a news release.

Nine of the state's top 10 export product categories increased global sales in 2005: agriculture, up 48.8 percent; food products, up 37.2 percent; fabricated metal products, up 28.2 percent; transportation equipment, up 20.6 percent; machinery, up 20.6 percent; electrical equipment, up 20.5 percent; primary metal manufacturing, up 20.4 percent; and chemicals, up 0.8 percent.

The only top product area that showed a decrease was computers and electronics, down 4.4 percent.

Missouri's top export recipients are Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico and the United Kingdom.

Export figures were compiled by the state's Department of Economic Development, which is responsible for assisting Missouri firms in identifying business opportunities and partners internationally.