Minnesota's exports of agricultural, mining and manufactured products were $5.1 billion in the third quarter of 2012, reports the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
That's up 1 percent from a year ago; sales last quarter had been $5.4 billion, the department said.
Manufacturing accounted for the largest share, with sales of $4.6 billion.
"China and Europe, particularly countries outside the European Union, had the biggest export gains in the third quarter," said Ed Dieter, acting executive director of the Minnesota Trade Office. "China, our second-largest market, was especially strong, with sales up 16 percent from a year ago."
But North America is still where most Minnesota goods go, with 37 percent of the sales. Asia is 31 percent and the European Union is 20 percent.
Canada is the country getting the largest share of Minnesota goods, with $1.5 billion in sales for the quarter. China was $632 million, Mexico $330 million, Japan $276 million, Germany $185 million, and Korea $140 million.
By category for the quarter, according to the report:
- Machinery $950 million
- Optical, medical instruments $813 million
- Electrical machinery $595 million
- Vehicles $537 million
- Plastic $249 million
- Ores, slag, ash $202 million
- Food manufacturing residues $136 million
- Mineral fuel $116 million
- Aircraft, spacecraft $113 million
- Iron, steel $74 million.