Posted on February 25, 2020
South Carolina set a record for total export sales for the 10th year in a row last year, with the state’s exporters selling $41.5 billion in products to 198 countries over the course of 2019.
The sales figure is a 19.7% increase over 2018 and ranks 11th among all states. Texas had the most export sales with $330.5 billion in products sold, according to the Census Bureau.
“South Carolina companies continue to produce top-quality products, and the world has taken notice,” Commerce Secretary Bobby Hitt said in a news release.
According to the S.C. Commerce Department, South Carolina’s top export markets in 2019 were China, which received 16% of the products sold; Germany, which received 11%; Canada, at 10%; and the United Arab Emirates, at 6%.
Aircraft; vehicles and parts; rubber; plastics; and nuclear reactors, machinery and parts topped the list of export commodities. South Carolina holds 18% of the market share for exported passenger vehicles in the United States and 35% of the market share for tires.
South Carolina sent $19.7 billion of its exports through vessel ports, such as the S.C. Ports Authority, according to the Census Bureau, and $3.9 billion of its exports through airborne carriers.
“South Carolina’s economy is booming, and the news of yet another record-setting year for exports is further confirmation that our global reputation for excellence is hard-earned and well-deserved,” Gov. Henry McMaster said in the release.
Source: https://charlestonbusiness.com/
