Missouri’s exports expected to set record

Through June 2006, Missouri exports topped $6 billion, compared to just more than $5 billion after second-quarter 2005. The numbers are good news for Missouri’s businesses in that the state set an exports record in 2005 with $10.5 billion in total global sales. This year’s second-quarter numbers put the state on track to top the record this year.

“Selling products and services to consumers in virtually every market worldwide helps businesses at home,” said Gov. Matt Blunt in a news release from the Missouri Department of Economic Development. “Missouri will continue to develop new investment and trade opportunities, as we are committed to expanding our markets and aggressively improving our state’s ability to compete on the international stage.”

Missouri had 12 product categories that topped $100 million in export sales in the second quarter of 2006, with transportation equipment topping the list at $2.2 billion.

Other categories were: chemicals, $998.5 million; machinery, $567.5 million; food and kindred products, $345 million; electrical equipment, appliances and components, $286.1 million; computers and electronic products, $252.4 million; fabricated metal products, $207 million; waste and scrap, $158.5 million; minerals and ores, $143 million; primary metal manufacturing, $139.9 million; plastics and rubber products, $115.1 million; and agricultural products, $106.7 million.

Only three product categories – chemicals, agricultural products and electronic products – posted declines of more than $10 million. This is not unusual, however, because some exports, particularly agricultural products, are subject to seasonal variations.