Mo. exports fall 5% in 1Q

Missouri's first-quarter exports totaled $3.12 billion, a 5 percent decrease from the same period in 2013, according to World Institute for Strategic Economic Research data.

The chemicals sector led Missouri exports during the first quarter, at about $635 million. Within the sector, basic chemicals increased 37.5 percent to $291 million in exports, according to the WISER report cited by the state Department of Economic Development.

The top five Show-Me State export sectors in the first quarter were:

• chemicals, $635 million;
• transportation equipment, $557 million;
• food and kindred products, $381 million;
• machinery, except electrical, $330 million; and
• electric equipment, appliances and components, $166 million.

Canada continues to be the largest foreign purchaser of Missouri goods and services. The country bought over $903 million during the first quarter, followed by Mexico, which bought $535 million in Missouri goods and services, and China, at $196 million.