Contacts:
Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608-267-9661
Ethnie Groves, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2156
Governor Jim Doyle announced today that Wisconsin exports continued to show strong gains though the first quarter of 2005. The quarterly total of $3.4 billion represents an increase of 16.7 percent over the same period in 2004. For the period, US exports grew by 8.8 percent
“Wisconsin’s export growth rate nearly doubled that of the nation, and has been vital in our success in creating jobs over the last year,” Governor Doyle said. “Wisconsin’s businesses and workers can compete with anyone in the world, and I’m determined to build on this success and help our businesses continue to reach new markets.”
For the quarter, exports to Canada, Wisconsin’s largest international exporting market, grew by 12.0 percent to $1.3 billion. Exports to Mexico, Wisconsin’s second largest export market, were up 42.0 percent to $301.8 million. China ranked third in purchases from Wisconsin with a 19.4-percent to $164.1 million. The United Kingdom was fourth with a 25.7 percent increase to $163.3 million, and Japan ranked fifth with a 1.1 percent increase to $162.5 million.
Industrial machinery, including computer equipment, continues to be Wisconsin’s top export commodity, growing by 19.7 percent to $1.3 billion. Medical instruments ranked second with an increase of 22.6 percent to $452.4 million. Electrical machinery ranked third with a 42.5 percent increase to $400.9 million. Transportation equipment ranked fourth despite a 7.0 percent decline to $238.1 million. Paper and paperboard was the state’s fifth largest export with a 13.6 percent increase to $179.1 million.
Governor Doyle led trade delegations of Wisconsin business and government leaders to Mexico in 2005, and to China and Japan in 2004. These delegations worked to establish relationships with international leaders, and businesses, with the goal of expanding Wisconsin’s exports to new markets.
