The International Trade Administration (ITA) announced that Wisconsin merchandise exports increased 8 percent in the first half of 2012 compared with the same period in 2011, growing from $10.8 billion to $11.7 billion.
This percentage growth topped the 7 percent national average for merchandise export growth for the same period.
“Exports are an increasingly important part of Wisconsin’s economic recovery as local businesses both big and small start to look beyond our borders to increase their customer base,” said Francisco Sánchez, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade. “The International Trade Administration is committed to helping Wisconsin businesses leverage financing and other key resources to boost exports that support thousands of good, high-paying jobs across the state. I encourage companies to contact our local U.S. Commercial Service offices to find out about new export opportunities and the resources available to them.”
Wisconsin’s first half 2012 merchandise export sales outpaced the 2011 figures for the same period in many top destinations, including Australia (up 49 percent), India (48 percent), Japan (24 percent), Hong Kong (18 percent), and Belgium (12 percent). Key merchandise export categories include machinery manufactures, computer and electronic products, transportation equipment, food and kindred products, and chemicals.
“Wisconsin is seeing a lot of movement in worldwide export sales,” said Damian Felton, director of the U.S. Commercial Service in Milwaukee. “Our office has also seen an uptick in the number of smaller firms and entrepreneurs looking to make new sales abroad. Before you export, it is important to do your homework first, and our office can get you off to a good start.”
