Governor Tomblin Announces State Sets Record Export Growth for Third Consecutive Year

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today announced for the third consecutive year West Virginia exports reached a record level, in 2012. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Commerce show the state’s exports grew from $9 billion in 2011 to $11.3 billion in 2012. West Virginia companies exported to 136 countries in 2012.

“Last year, West Virginia’s exports grew by 25 percent, surpassing the national growth rate of 4.6 percent,” said Gov. Tomblin. “Exports are a valuable contributor to our state’s economic growth and stability. While coal continues to be our traditional strength, our top exports also included manufactured products such as plastics, chemicals, machinery and components for medical, automotive and aerospace applications.”

Coal exports grew 40 percent, increasing from $5.3 billion in 2011 to $7.4 billion in 2012. West Virginia coal accounted for 49 percent of U.S. coal exports in 2012. The top markets for West Virginia coal with the largest growth were Japan (growing from $29 million in 2011 to $395 million in 2012) and China (growing from $93 million in 2011 to $567 million in 2012).

Plastics, the state’s second largest product sector, reached the $1 billion level for the second year in a row. Products from manufacturing sectors grew from $3.5 billion to a record $3.67 billion.

West Virginia’s top 10 markets for non-coal exports are:

The International Division of the West Virginia Development Office (WVDO) offers export promotion services to small and medium-sized businesses. For information on WVDO trade shows, trade missions and other services, visitwww.worldtradewv.com.