Value of Missouri Exports Increases 10.53 Percent in First Four Months of 2005 Over 2004 Period

For Immediate Release

JUNE 23, 2005, St. Louis, Missouri … The dollar value of Missouri exports increased 10.53 percent in January through April 2005 compared to the same period in 2004, according to data released by World Trade Center Saint Louis.

In the January through April, 2005 period, the total dollar value of Missouri exports to nations worldwide was $ $3,273,915,982, compared to $2,962,108,231 for the same period in 2004.

Canada, Mexico, Japan and mainland China, respectively, were the top customers for Missouri exports on a dollar value basis in the January to April 2005 period. On a percentage basis, Missouri exports to select nations in Africa, Europe and South America showed substantial increases in January-April 2005 compared to the same period last year, as did Missouri exports to Iceland, Oman, Georgia, Romania and Latvia among other nations.

Gia Sebbio-Thomas, Director of Trade Services & Research at World Trade Center Saint Louis, said, “Our data indicates that, overall, Missouri’s export economy is growing at a healthy pace. Exports to select industrialized nations in Africa, Europe and South America increased substantially in the January through April 2005 period.

“For example, Missouri exports to Mexico increased 42.41 percent in January-April 2005 over last year’s period, growing to $391,104,407 from $274,638, 349,” she said. “Missouri exports to Venezuela increased 47.82 percent to $10,463,438 from $8,958,876 in the comparable periods.”

“Missouri exports to South Africa in the January-April 2005 period increased 37.67 percent to $13,951,608 from $10,133,831, while Missouri exports to Morocco increased 215.18 percent to $1,654,943 from $525,084 in the comparable periods,” she said.

The World Trade Center Saint Louis data summary is based on analysis of Missouri export statistics for all major commodities ranging from plastics, chemical products, industrial machinery and aircraft equipment to food products, pharmaceuticals, toys, apparel, textiles, musical instruments and many more. The new data shows Missouri export statistics for 218 nations worldwide. It is adapted by World Trade Center Saint Louis from the WISER International Trade Database, © 2004, Holyoke Community College.

World Trade Center Saint Louis offers customized global market research and business intelligence services; conducts more than 30 trade events annually; renders access to global business resources; and provides education programs. It serves individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations across Missouri and Southern Illinois. It is a division of the St. Louis County Economic Council, a division of St. Louis County government. Its license is granted by the World Trade Centers Association in New York City.

For more information, please see the website www.worldtradecenter-stl.com or call Cheryl M. Marty at 314.615.8141.
Media contact: Jeff Dunlap @314.721.5505.

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