Missouri's exports up by 19 percent

Missouri's exports through the second quarter of 2006 were up by nearly 19 percent compared to the same period in 2005, according to the World Institute for Strategic Economic Research. Through June 2006, exports by Missouri companies topped $6 billion, compared to just over $5 billion after the second quarter 2005. This is particularly good news for the state's businesses because Missouri set a record for exports in 2005 with $10.5 billion in total global sales. Second-quarter 2006 figures put the state on track to top that mark this year.

Twelve Missouri product categories topped $100 million in export sales in the second quarter of 2006. These categories were: transportation equipment, nearly $2.2 billion; chemicals, $998.5 million; machinery, $567.5 million; food and kindred products, $345.0 million; electrical equipment, appliances and components, $286.1 million; computers and electronic products, $252.4 million; fabricated metal products, $207.0 million; waste and scrap, $158.5 million; minerals and ores, $143.0 million; primary metal manufacturing, $139.9 million; plastics and rubber products, $115.1 million; and agricultural products, $106.7 million.

-- From staff reports