Minn. exports climb to record $5.4B

Minnesota exports of agricultural, mining and manufactured products climbed to a record $5.4 billion for the quarter ending June 30.

That broke the previous record of $5.3 billion in the same quarter a year ago. Exports to China hit nearly $750 million, a 32 percent increase driven by increased sales of everything from iron ore to medical devices and equipment.

"We're starting to see there are companies in Minnesota that are beginning to re-shore their manufacturing facilities, bringing some of their manufacturing back from China and that in turn is helping to increase out exports to China," said Katie Clark, executive director of the Minnesota Trade Office.

Canada, as usual, was Minnesota's largest export market, with sales of $1.6 billion, an increase of about 3 percent from a year ago.

"With 95 percent of the population living outside of the United States' borders, there's huge opportunity for small and mid-size companies and large companies to be exporting our high-quality U.S. products," Clark said. "There's great demand for Minnesota high-quality products all over the world."

Overall, sales of machinery — the state's top export — totaled $1.1 billion. Other leading segments included optical and medical instruments, vehicles and aircraft.