Busy 4Q for MN exporters

Those involved in exporting Minnesota’s manufactured, agricultural and mining products were busy during the final three months of last year.

The state
Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) says exports grew 6 percent during the 4th quarter, totaling $5.4 billion. Manufactured exports accounted for the bulk of the sales during the quarter.

Major increases in exports to China and Mexico – the state’s second- and third-largest markets, respectively – drove much of the growth in the fourth quarter. Sales to China grew 35 percent to $743 million, while sales to Mexico climbed 32 percent to $439 million. Canada remains the state’s largest export market, with sales at $1.48 billion in the quarter, down 7 percent from the same period a year ago.

The state’s leading export category was machinery, which grew 1 percent to $937 million.