State Exports Set Record, Grow at 4.3 Percent

By Herald-Journal, Spartanburg, S.C.

Mar. 14–South Carolina exported a record $13.9 billion worth of products last year, according the S.C. Department of Commerce.

That number represents 4.3 percent growth over 2004.

Some facts about South Carolina exports:–Canada was the top market for South Carolina, followed by Germany, Mexico, the United Kingdom, China, the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Australia.–Among countries purchasing more than $100 million in South Carolina goods, India was the fastest-growing market last year, rising 45 percent.

Other fast-growth markets included Switzerland (42.5 percent); China (29 percent); Mexico (28 percent); and Turkey (24 percent).

The top products exported last year were: vehicles; machinery; electrical machinery; plastic; rubber; organic chemicals; paper and paperboard; optic, photographic and medical/surgical equipment; wood pulp, and; cotton.

The fastest-growing export products included photographic film (up 44 percent); organic chemicals (up 43 percent); wood pulp (up 26 percent); and paper and paperboard (up 25 percent).

In the Chinese market, South Carolina was the U.S.’s top exporter of railway equipment and synthetic fibers. The Palmetto State ranked fourth nationwide in its Chinese exports of organic chemicals and knitted fabrics. In the Canadian market, South Carolina ranked second among U.S. states in its exports of synthetic yarn and fabric and photographic film. In the Mexican market, South Carolina ranked second among U.S. states in its exports of both rubber products and synthetic fibers and fabrics.

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Copyright (c) 2006, Herald-Journal, Spartanburg, S.C.

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