While Minnesota's export growth slowed a bit, it still outpaced the nation in the first three months of the year.
State exports rose 9% in the first quarter of 2023 compared with 7% for the U.S., according to data the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) compiled.
"Minnesota's economy is making a global impact," Gov. Tim Walz said in a statement. "We will continue strengthening the trade partnerships that support our economy, create Minnesota jobs and allow local communities to thrive."
Minnesota trailed the nation in export growth last year when exports jumped 16% to a record high for the state, compared with 18% for the U.S.
Meanwhile, overall export growth is showing some signs of tapering off after seeing big gains in the past two years coming out of the pandemic recession. For example, Minnesota's exports grew between 12% and 28% in each quarter of 2022.
In the first quarter of this year, mineral fuels and oil — primarily to Canada — led growth in state exports. Optical and medical equipment, vehicles and machinery followed.
Minnesota's largest markets of Canada and Mexico saw sizable growth of 14%.
Other large gains included a 34% jump in state exports to Africa — thanks largely to a surge in wheat exports to Ethiopia — as well as a 28% increase to the Caribbean, Central and South America as well as a 15% uptick to the European Union.