Minn. exports fall

12/22/2009 6:36 AM
Minnesota's manufactured exports fall

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A new state report indicates that Minnesota's manufactured exports fell 17 percent during the third quarter of 2009 to $3.7 billion.

But according to the report by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, exports are beginning to show signs of improvement.

The report said exports to Minnesota's largest trading partner, Canada, were down about 24 percent to $988 million from the same quarter a year ago. Sales to China, Minnesota's second-largest partner, were flat from a year ago at $333 million.

But the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that third-quarter exports to Japan grew 3 percent to $195 million, while sales to Korea and Australia each grew 7 percent to a respective $141 million and $112 million.

U.S. exports fell 21 percent from third quarter of 2008 to 2009.

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Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com