Minnesota exports of manufactured, agricultural and mining products were valued at $5 billion in the fourth quarter of 2016 – unchanged from the same period a year ago.

State exports to Asia climbed 8 percent in the quarter to $1.7 billion.

“It is encouraging to see the strong turnaround in the big Minnesota export markets of China, Japan and Korea, after several quarters of declining exports to Asia,” said Minnesota Trade Office Deputy Director Ed Dieter. “The growth in our exports to Asia have made up for much of the decline in our exports to Europe following the Great Recession.”

Minnesota has seen steady progress in exports to Korea since the ratification of the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement in 2011. For the first time Korea entered Minnesota’s top five export markets, passing Germany.  

Go to the DEED website for the complete fourth quarter 2016 export report. 

Other regions that saw strong export growth were Africa ($58 million, up 84 percent) and Australia-Pacific ($144 million, up 6 percent).

Exports to North American markets fell 8 percent to $1.6 billion, while exports to Europe were down 1 percent to $1.1 billion.

Canada was the state’s largest national market, with sales of $1 billion (down 6 percent). 

Optic/medical instruments was the state’s top export category, with sales of $902 million, down 2 percent. 

Other top products include:

• Machinery ($792 million, down 8 percent)
• Electrical machinery ($638 million, down 4 percent)
• Vehicles ($400 million, down 8 percent)
• Plastic ($298 million, up 10 percent)
• Food byproducts ($152 million, down 9 percent)
• Aircraft, spacecraft ($140 million, up 46 percent)
• Meat ($95 million, up 31 percent)
• Pharmaceuticals ($88 million, down 1 percent) and
• Miscellaneous seeds, grains, fruit ($77 million, up 34 percent).

See the full press release Minnesota Exports at $5 Billion in Fourth Quarter.