New Mexico leads U.S. in increasing exports

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During 2012, New Mexico firms exported $3 billion worth of merchandise, including $1.3 billion to Israel, which is the state’s largest export market.

Dennis Domrzalski

Reporter- Albuquerque Business First

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New Mexico saw the largest export growth of any state – 42 percent – in 2012, the U.S. Commerce Department said.

During the year, New Mexico firms exported $3 billion worth of merchandise, including $1.3 billion to Israel, which is the state’s largest export market.

Mexico was the state’s second largest export market at $618 million; followed by Canada, $324 million; China, $77 million; and Germany, $73 million.

Computer and electronic parts accounted for the largest part of the state’s exports at $1.7 billion. Fabricated metal products accounted for $230 million; machinery, $180 million; food products, $178 million; and transportation equipment, $134 million.

The Albuquerque metropolitan area accounted for $952 million in exports in 2011; Las Cruces, $655 million; Farmington, $23.8 million; and Santa Fe, $19.1 million.

The department said 29 states set new records for export sales in 2012, and 35 states achieved export growth.

Nationally, exports of goods and services totaled $2.2 trillion in 2012, a record amount. Jobs support by exports grew to 9.8 million during the year, an increase of 1.3 million since 2009.

“The increase in state exports in 2012 demonstrates that U.S. businesses are carving out a new global market share for their innovative products and services, despite facing economic headwinds worldwide,” Deputy Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank said in a news release.

The report comes just a few days after the New Mexico Border Authority announced that last year the Santa Teresa Port of Entry processed more than 81,000 commercial trucks — 13 percent higher than any year on record.

The Columbus Port of Entry processed in 2012 more than 10,000 commercial trucks, with 18 percent more crossings than any prior year, according to the agency. The same port saw an 11 percent growth in pedestrian traffic, state officials said.

505.348.8306 | dfdomrzalski@bizjournals.com
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