2012 A Record Breaking Year for Idaho Exports
2/12/2013
Multiple
Idaho industries boast triple-digit increase in exports
BOISE,
Idaho—Tuesday, February 12, 2013—Recently available data confirms that 2012 was
a banner year for Idaho exports across a broad variety of industry
sectors. Global sales figures for Idaho
products in 2012 broke export records with a total of more than $6.1 billion in total sales, an
increase of 3.53 percent over the
2011 annual total. Fourth-quarter 2012
international sales also hit a record quarterly figure of more than $1.9 billion and constitute a 36.75-percent increase over this same
time period in 2011.
“We’re very
excited to see the significant increase in Idaho’s export figures,” said Idaho
Commerce Director Jeffery Sayer. “We
believe this increase is largely due to Idaho companies openly embracing the
exploration of new markets to expand their business. The State of Idaho is pleased to be partners
with the private sector in this effort through market access grants,
Governor-led trade missions and direct support from professionals who can help
companies open the door to new international customers.”
Top Idaho
export sectors for 2012 included: semiconductors, industrial equipment,
precious and semi-precious metals, agricultural commodities and processed food,
fertilizers, paper and forest products, and personal care products.
“Idaho
farmers and ranchers have a reputation for producing some of the highest-quality
food available. That reputation combined with Idaho’s tremendous food
processing capacity is feeding the world and meeting the growing global demand
for superior food products,” Idaho State Department of Agriculture Director
Celia Gould said. “The success of our agricultural exports abroad goes a
long way in continuing agriculture's legacy of bolstering the state's economy
and serving as the lifeblood of many of our rural
communities.”
Global sales
of civilian aircraft and related parts jumped over 2,000 percent from 2011
totals to almost $531.7 million due to significant fourth-quarter sales. Other categories that saw increases include:
furniture and bedding (up 42.32 percent); railway (up 84.68 percent); military
apparel and equipment (up 1,333.78 percent); and aluminum (up 122.03 percent).
Canada,
Singapore, China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Mexico, Malaysia, France, and
Australia top the list of export markets for Idaho goods in 2012.
One program
that is credited for introducing small- to medium-sized Idaho companies to
explore export opportunities for the first time was the State Trade and Export
Promotion (STEP) grant program. In
2011-2012, 48 Idaho companies secured market-access grants to develop global
entry projects and successfully enter into new markets abroad. The program focuses on giving small companies
– especially those located in rural areas – access to financial resources and
targeted opportunities to identify, qualify, and meet face-to-face with
international buyers.
For more
information about the State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Grant program and
Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter’s 2013 trade mission to Asia, visit:
commerce.idaho.gov/international
For more
detailed information about Idaho’s top export products and top export
destinations, see the tables attached
here.
News tag(s): Business International