Exports from Louisiana jump again

Exports from Louisiana ports jumped 28 percent in value during the first quarter of 2007, following a year in which export value hit an annual record, according to a recently released report.

Shipments of agricultural products, chemicals, petroleum, coal, and industrial machinery were at the top of an export list for the January-through-March period that hit $7.3 billion, according to the World Trade Center of New Orleans.

Louisiana ports exported $5.7 billion worth of goods during the first quarter of 2006. For the year, the total was $23.5 billion.

The report, generated by the World Institute of Strategic Research, covered products that originate in New Orleans and bulk commodities, such as grain and coal, that are shipped abroad from Louisiana ports.

“The global economy is doing well and we expect to see Louisiana’s foreign trade keeping pace with it,” said Larry Collins, director of international services with the Louisiana Department of Economic Development.

The value of exported shipments of agricultural products through lower Mississippi River ports showed a strong gain: 40.7 percent to $3.49 billion. Those ports account for about half of U.S. grain exports.

Chemical exports increased in value by 1.5 percent to $1.2 billion, followed by petroleum and coal products with a 37.1 percent jump to $1.08 billion. The value of processed food exports rose 15.9 percent to $613.8 million, while the value of exported machinery rose 44.9 percent to $197.7 million.

Japan was the top market for Louisiana exports during the first quarter, followed by China, Mexico, the Netherlands and Canada.

Among the states, Louisiana ranked 10th in the value of exported products. Texas was the top exporter, followed by California, New York and Washington.

U.S. exports totaled $270.9 billion during the first quarter, a 10.7 percent increase over the first three months of 2006.

Louisiana exports

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

First-quarter figures of Louisiana exports:

Louisiana exports by country

1. Japan, $771.9 million, up 31 percent

2. China $764.3 million, down 5 percent

3. Mexico, $593.3 million, up 17.7 percent

4. Netherlands, $474.2 million, up 129.2 percent

5. Canada, $481 million, down 6.5 percent

6. Egypt, $369.7 million, up 116.5 percent

7. Colombia, $212 million, up 36 percent

8. South Korea, $191.6 million, down 3.9 percent

9. Spain, $141.9 million, up 222.6 percent

10. Ecuador, $132.2 million, up 276.6 percent

U.S. exports by state

1. Texas, $39.2 billion, up 12.6 percent

2. California, $32 billion, up 5.2 percent

3. New York, $15.9 billion, up 22 percent

4. Washington, $14.2 billion, up 10.6 percent

5. Illinois, $11.3 billion, up 15.6 percent

6. Florida, $10.5 billion, up 14.7 percent

7. Michigan, $10.2 billion, up 0.2 percent

8. Ohio, $9.7 billion, up 11.4 percent

9. New Jersey, $7.4 billion, up 15.7 percent

10. Louisiana, $7.3 billion, up 28.6 percent

Source: World Institute for Strategic Economic Research, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, foreign trade division.