CHARLESTON – Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has announced that for the third consecutive year West Virginia exports reached a record level. 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 to136 countries in 2012.
“Last year, West Virginia’s exports grew by 25 percent, surpassing the national growth rate of 4.6percent,” 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).
1. Netherlands - $801 million
2. Italy - $698 million
3. India - $689 million
4. China - $567 million
5. Brazil - $558 million
6. South Korea - $520 million
7. United Kingdom - $457 million
8. Turkey - $403 million
9. Japan - $395 million
10. France - $383 million
West Virginia coal was exported to 38 countries in 2012. The state was the by far the largest exporter of coal in the country. For more information see here.
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