Transportation is the driving force in Missouri as exports continue to rise.
Show-Me State exports totaled $10.1 billion through the third quarter, a 2.3 percent increase over the same period last year, according to the Missouri Department of Economic Development.
Transportation equipment exports shot up 18.7 percent to just over $2.1 billion so far this year. Within the sector, motor vehicles led with $932 million in exports and
aerospace products and parts brought in another $563 million, according to a DED news release, which cited World Institute for Strategic Economic Research Export Trade data.
Second on the list through the third quarter is the chemical sector, bringing nearly $2 billion, a 3.1 percent increase over last year. Combined, the two sectors are heads and tails above other areas. Further down the list are $1.1 billion from machinery and $1 billion from food and kindred products.
Canada continues its dominance as Missouri’s largest trade partner, purchasing just over $3.2 billion in goods so far this year. Other notable trade partners include Mexico, $1.87 billion; China, $642 million; Japan, $383 million; Germany, $366 million; Belgium, $361 million; and Korea, $353 million.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Commerce released data indicating Missouri exports supported 86,602 jobs in 2014, an 11.4 percent increase from 2009. Those jobs were on the back of $14.1 billion worth of goods exported in 2014, a 9 percent increase over 2013 and its second-highest year on record.
Missouri has relationships with 20 countries that have free trade agreements with the U.S.
