Idaho’s First Quarter Exports Down Nearly 9 Percent
Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
Semiconductors (computer chips) and industrial equipment make up more than half of all Idaho exports.
The Idaho Department of Commerce reports Idaho exports are down 8.9 percent from the first quarter of this year compared to the first quarter of 2011.
Here’s what the department said in part of its press release today:
Following a record year for Idaho exports in 2011 with total sales at nearly $6 billion, first-quarter figures showed a fairly stable start to 2012, with exports in the first three months of nearly $1.4 billion.
“Supporting our Idaho companies in exploring exports to foreign markets is one of the most efficient and effective strategies for achieving the goal of Project 60,” said Jeffery Sayer, director of the Idaho Department of Commerce. “It is great news that many Idaho companies are reporting an uptick in domestic sales, while at the same time maintaining strong demand from their international customers.”
Top Idaho export sectors for the first quarter of 2012 include semiconductors, industrial equipment, precious and semi-precious metals, agricultural commodities and processed food, fertilizers, paper and forest products, and personal care products.
Canada, Taiwan, China, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Mexico, France, Malaysia and the Netherlands top the list of export markets. While there was a decline in total exports compared to the corresponding period one year ago, the state experienced significant growth in key markets and industry sectors due to efforts to help Idaho businesses expand their international presence. – Idaho Dept. of Commerce
Even though semiconductors (computer chips), industrial equipment and fertilizers are among the Idaho’s top exports overall, first quarter numbers of this year show declines from that same period in 2011.
Canada, Taiwan and Singapore are among the state’s top export countries, but all three have bought about 20 percent less from Idaho producers so far this year.
