Wisconsin saw an increase of exports in the first half of 2017. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Wisconsin exported $11.2 billion in goods and services to 196 different countries in the first half of 2017. This is an 8.2 percent increase over the first six months of 2016. Making Wisconsin 19th in the U.S. for total exports.
When it comes to Wisconsin agricultural exports they rose by 8.8 percent over last year, with $1.8 billion in agriculture products shipped to 134 different countries. Those numbers rank Wisconsin 12th in the nation for agriculture exports.
“Our solid first-half export numbers, which outpaced the U.S. increase in exports, is yet another indication of the overall strength of Wisconsin’s economy,” Governor Scott Walker said. “We are seeing more companies of all sizes and industries gain access to new markets and new customers through exporting. This is outstanding news for the state business and farmers.”
Wisconsin saw first-half increases in numerous key product categories, including electrical machinery, vehicles and vehicle parts, aircraft, spacecraft and parts; iron and steel products; oil seeds, miscellaneous grain, seed and fruit, dairy, eggs and honey products, and wood/wood products.
Currently Wisconsin leads the nation in exports of agriculture products such as butter, prepared/preserved cranberries, prepared/preserved sweet corn, fur skins, ginseng roots, and bovine genetics.
Wisconsin also leads the nation in the exports of products such as bicycles, firefighting vehicles, military vehicles, and outboard and inboard marine engines.
Overall, industrial machinery is Wisconsin’s top export product category at $2.6 billion in the first half of the year, accounting for 24 percent of all state exports. The second-largest product category is medical and scientific instruments, which accounts for 10 percent of all state exports at $1.1 billion.
The growth in Wisconsin’s export in the first half of 2017 can be attributed to significant increases in shipments to Mexico and China. Mexico is Wisconsin’s second largest export destination and the amount of exports Wisconsin sent to Mexico increased by 17 percent to $1.6 billion. Primarily due to an increase in the export of electrical machinery and oil seeds. China is Wisconsin’s third largest export location in the first half of the year Exports to China increase up 19 percent to $825 million, due primarily to an increase in exports of industrial machinery.
The numbers included in this article were based on U.S. Census Bureau data analyzed by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP).
Both WEDC and DATCP offer programs to assist Wisconsin companies seeking to start or expand their exporting efforts.
For information on WEDC exporting programs, call 608-210-6856 or visit inwisconsin.com/export. For details on DATCP programs aimed at agricultural companies, call 800-462-5237 or visit datcp.wi.gov.
