Manufactured exports in the state of Minnesota increased to $4.2 billion during the first quarter

Minnesota manufactured exports increased to $4.2 billion in the first quarter of 2008, which was 8.5% higher than the same period a year ago.

By Plant Engineering Staff August 13, 2008

Minnesota manufactured exports increased to $4.2 billion in the first quarter of 2008, which was 8.5% higher than the same period a year ago. The Minnesota Dept. of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) reportedand in nine of our top 10 manufacturing sectors during the quarter.” Canada, Minnesota’s largest trading partner, posted the biggest value gain in the quarter, increasing its purchases of state manufactured goods by $255 million, up 27.3% from a year ago, to $1.2 billion. Minnesota’sother top export customers during the quarter were China ($287 million), Japan ($211 million), Germany ($184 million) and the United Kingdom ($177 million). Computers and electronics was the state’s largest export category in the quarter, accounting for about $1 billion in sales, an increaseof 6.6 percent from a year ago. U.S. manufactured exports grew 14.3% in the first quarter, with the largest gains coming from the petroleum, chemicals and primary metals products industries.