Minnesota businesses exported $19 billion worth of agricultural, mining and manufactured products in 2016, a 4 percent drop from the previous year, according to figures released by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
U.S. exports fell 3 percent in 2016.
Asia and North America were the state's top two regional markets, with each accounting for about $6.4 billion in sales last year. Annual sales to Asia were unchanged from the previous year, while North American sales were down 7 percent.
Exports to Europe fell 5 percent to $4.4 billion. Africa, meanwhile, saw strong growth, with sales up 30 percent to $185 million.
"Even with a slight decline in exports overall, Minnesota still has a thriving and diverse export sector, with state businesses sending 1,044 different products to 207 countries last year," said DEED Commissioner Shawntera Hardy in a news release. "Exports are a vital part of our economy, supporting nearly 120,000 jobs in Minnesota."
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Canada was the state's largest national export market in 2016, accounting for $4 billion in sales (down 9 percent).
Other top markets were Mexico ($2.3 billion, down 2 percent), China ($2.2 billion, unchanged), Japan ($1 billion, down 9 percent), South Korea ($822 million, up 7 percent), Germany ($765 million, down 8 percent), Belgium ($733 million, down 11 percent), Singapore ($573 million, up 12 percent), United Kingdom ($567 million, up 6 percent) and Taiwan ($459 million, up 9 percent).
Optic/medical instruments was the top Minnesota export product in 2016, with sales of $3.5 billion (down 5 percent).
Other top 10 exports were machinery ($3.1 billion, down 10 percent), electrical machinery ($2.5 billion, down 1 percent), vehicles ($1.5 billion, down 16 percent), plastic ($1.1 billion, unchanged), food byproducts ($575 million, down 9 percent), aircraft, spacecraft ($507 million, up 9 percent), pharmaceuticals ($340 million, up 2 percent), meat ($330 million, up 5 percent) and cereals ($312 million, up 60 percent).
The big gain in cereals (up 60 percent) was driven by major growth in China ($32 million, up 2,253 percent), Italy ($27 million, up 1,106 percent) and Costa Rica ($22 million, up from less than $6,200).
