Minnesota's exports flat in first months of 2013
Exports of Minnesota's agricultural, mining and manufactured goods stalled out in the first three months of the year.
Exports of Minnesota products were basically flat in the first quarter of this year, compared to the same period in 2012. Nationally, export growth was also flat.
Katie Clark Sieben, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development said China and Japan rank among the state's top export markets. But sales to those countries have dropped.
"Japan was down 26 percent, so it's really the Asian partners where we're seeing some decreases," Clark Sieben said.
Exports to Asia, Minnesota's second largest export market, dropped 11 percent.
Meanwhile, exports to Canada and some European countries climbed in the first quarter, helping to offset the declines elsewhere.
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