MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle announced today that Wisconsin exports increased by 15.1 percent to a record $17.2 billion in 2006, as compared to a 14.7 percent national increase. Since Governor Doyle took office, Wisconsin exports have increased by approximately 60 percent.
“Over the past four years, Wisconsin companies have pushed exports to an all-time high,” Governor Doyle said. “As Governor, I’m determined to build on this success and work to create the business climate and top-notch workforce that will help Wisconsin businesses continue to reach new markets.”
Exports to Canada, Wisconsin’s largest international market, grew by 4 percent to $5.4 billion. Mexico continued as Wisconsin’s second largest export market, as exports grew 39 percent to $1.9 billion. China took third place with a 29 percent increase to $870.3 million, and Japan ranked fourth with a 6 percent increase to $738.8 million. The United Kingdom took fifth place with a 6 percent increase to $686.5 million.
Industrial machinery, including computer equipment, continues to be Wisconsin’s top export commodity, growing by nearly 8 percent to $5.5 billion. Electrical machinery ranked second with a 42 percent increase to $2.6 billion. Medical and scientific instruments ranked third with an increase of 3 percent to $2.1 billion. Transportation equipment ranked fourth with a 46 percent increase to $1.5 billion. Rounding out the top five was paper and paperboard, with a 2 percent increase to $800.0 million.
Wisconsin‘s agricultural exports increased by 6 percent in 2006 to a record level of $1.4 billion with meat and dairy products, animal genetics, and fats and oils all showing solid growth. Top destinations for Wisconsin agricultural products in 2006 were Canada, $576 million; Mexico, $96 million; Japan, $77million; China, $74 million; and Taiwan, $53 million.
