The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development released Minnesota export figures this morning. Minnesota businesses exported $21 billion worth of agricultural, mining and manufactured products in 2017 which represents an 8% increase from the previous year.

Minnesota's top export product in 2017 was optic/medical instruments followed by machinery, electrical machinery, vehicles and plastics. The biggest increase occurred in the sale of ores, slag and ash which jumped 175%. We increased sales of these products to Japan by 595% and Canada by 212%.

Minnesota's top export customer was Canada represent $4.4 billion in sales. Other export customers in order of sales  include Mexico, China, Japan, Germany followed by South Korea.

In all Minnesota companies exported 1,053 different products to 203 different countries in 2017. DEED Commissioner Shawntera Hardy states that exports supported nearly 118,000 jobs in Minnesota.

While Minnesota exports increased by 8% the total of U.S. exports increased 7% during the same period.

 

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