North Dakota commercial exports exceed $2 billion in first half of 2012

According to U.S. Census Bureau data, North Dakota exports continued to rise in the second quarter of 2012, bringing exports through June to $2.05 billion. That nearly a 24 percent increase over the same period in 2011. Exports of Machinery, Ag Products, Chemicals, Food Manufactures and Transportation Equipment accounted for a nearly 15 percent increase over the same period in 2011, according to the data. These figures do not include bulk commodity export data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which accounts for over half of all North Dakota exports.

North Dakota’s exports per capita top seven of the nation’s 10 largest exporting states, including California the nation’s second largest overall exporter. North Dakota’s per-capita exports are valued at $2,992 compared to California’s per-capita rate of $2,174.  Texas, the nation’s largest overall exporter, has a per-capita export value of $5,094.

Canada, Mexico, Australia, Belgium, Russia, Venezuela, Germany, Japan, Czech Republic and United Kingdom are the top ten international markets for exports from North Dakota. The North Dakota Trade Office led Trade Missions to many countries over the past year, and ones showing significant export growth include Kazakhstan (127% increase), Korean Republic (112% increase), and Indonesia (207% increase).

Top export products to the world include oil, front end shovel loaders, agricultural tractors, soil-related agriculture equipment, wheat, corn and legumes.

Since 2000, commercial exports from ND have increased over 400 percent, from approximately $626 million in 2000 to over $3.3 billion in 2011.

Source: NDTO