Colorado exports last year surged by the largest amount in more than a decade, according to a report today from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
Colorado exports totaled $7.96 billion last year, a 17.3 percent increase from the $6.78 billion worth of goods made here in 2005 that sold abroad.
“It was a very strong year,” said Laurel Alpert, the division director of international trade.
Strong increases in beef, semi-conductor and scientific equipment sales drove the export rebound, with Mexico, China and Taiwan showing a much stronger appetite for Colorado products.
Canada remained Colorado’s top export market, with a 2.3 percent increase to almost $1.85 billion.
Exports to Mexico surged by 20.2 percent to top $1 billion. Exports to China, including Hong Kong, grew 42.9 percent to $800 million, making it Colorado’s third largest market, while sales to Taiwan rose 243.6 percent to $707 million, placing it in fourth position.
Japan was Colorado’s fifth largest market, with exports increasing 3.9 percent to almost $400 million. Other countries making up Colorado’s top ten export markets, in descending order, were Germany, Malaysia, South Korea, the United Kingdom and France respectively.
