Report: Minn. exports down 19 percent from last year
Minnesota's manufactured exports dropped by 19 percent from the same quarter last year, according to a government report released Thursday.
State manufactured exports declined to $3.6 billion, according to the report by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Manufactured exports nationwide fell by 26 percent during the same period.
"Declining exports in the second quarter at both the state and national level are a reflection of the U.S. recession and worldwide economic slowdown," said Dan McElroy, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
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"Minnesota had a record year for exports last year, and we're confident that our overseas markets will recover once the global economy improves," he said.
Exports to Canada, Minnesota's largest market, were down 25 percent from the same period last year.
China was the only top export market to show an increase in sales, from $328 million in last year's second quarter to $330 this quarter. Other top export markets include: Ireland (down 7 percent), Japan (down 12 percent), and the U.K. (down 25 percent).
Minnesota's largest manufactured export sector, computers and electronics, dropped 18 percent from a year ago. The report said the state's other top 10 export sectors also declined.