Minnesota exports jumped 17% to $23.5 billion last year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
Minnesota exports jumped 17% last year to above pre-pandemic levels
The state, like the nation, imported more goods than it exported last year.
March 21, 2022 at 9:15PM
Canada and Mexico, which are typically among the top three international markets for Minnesota, were the biggest drivers of that growth, according to a report Monday by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
In 2021, state exports rose 36% to Canada and 27% to Mexico.
Growth was more moderate to Asia, which was up 8%, and to Europe, which increased by 11%.
Exports of machinery, electrical equipment and mineral fuel and oil saw the largest gains.
In total, Minnesota exported about $24 billion of agricultural, mining and manufactured products last year, according to the report. That was a 6% increase over 2019 and a return to pre-pandemic levels after state exports sank 10% in 2020.
U.S. exports as a whole rose even faster last year than in Minnesota, surging 23% over 2020 and 7% over 2019.
Minnesota ranked 22nd in exports among all states in 2021.
"The continued rebound in the state's exports is good news for Minnesota businesses — and the 112,000 Minnesotans whose jobs are supported by state exports," DEED Commissioner Steve Grove said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Minnesota imported $32.5 billion in goods last year, resulting in a trade deficit in goods of $9 billion in 2021.
The Birds Eye plant recruited workers without providing all the job details Minnesota law requires.
