Springfield MSA grows exports in 2013

The Springfield metropolitan statistical area exported $437.5 million worth of goods in 2013, according to a report released this week by the International Trade Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The 2013 figure for the Springfield metro area - which comprises Greene, Christian, Dallas, Polk and Webster counties - represents an 8.9 percent increase from 2012 exports of $401.7 million, according to the ITA.

The report ranks Springfield's MSA as the third-highest exporter of goods among Missouri metro areas. St. Louis came in first with exports of some $12.4 billion worth of products last year, followed by Kansas City's $8 billion. However, both the St. Louis and Kansas City MSAs shared export figures with neighboring states.

In Missouri, 2013 exports totaled $12.9 billion, according to the report. Canada imported the most Missouri goods during the year, followed by Mexico, China, Japan and South Korea. The top five export industries in Missouri were:

• transportation equipment;
• chemicals;
• food and kindred products;
• machinery, except electrical; and
• electrical equipment, appliances and components.

The Show-Me State's export industry supported over 70,000 jobs last year, according to the ITA release.

The U.S. as a whole exported $2.3 trillion in goods during 2013, led by Houston, New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle and Detroit. The country's export industry supported about 11.3 million jobs last year, according to the ITA report.[[In-content Ad]]