Export Montana
2006 State of Montana Export Summary
Montana commodity exports increased by 24.5 percent to reach a record high of $1.297 billion for 20061. Bulk shipments of wheat led all commodity exports with $410 million in sales, an increase of nearly $80 million over 2005.
Among manufactured products, record setting exports were set by many commodity groupings. Shipments of inorganic chemicals nearly doubled in 2006, displacing industrial machinery as the state's top manufactured export, to exceed $192.5 million for the year. Vehicles, parts, and accessory items exports jumped by 154 percent to reach $55.5 million in 2006. Mineral fuel exports doubled to total $43.7 million while shipments of organic chemicals quadrupled to top $24 million. Pharmaceutical product shipments and aircraft exports witnessed a greater than threefold increase to exceed $15.4 million and $12.1 million, respectively.
Other commodities experienced strong increases in export shipments. Industrial machinery exports rose by 15 percent for the year to top $185.9 million. Foreign shipments of electrical machinery rose to $11.6 million, an increase of nearly 58 percent over 2005. Exports of dried legumes also increased by 58 percent to top $8.6 million in 2006. Finally, paperboard exports increased by 12.7 percent to reach $39.6 million for 2006.
Several commodity groups posted sales declines for the year. Exports of ores, slag and ash declined by 35.6 percent to total $73.3 million. Foreign shipments of platinum declined by 12 percent to total $8.7 million. Origin-specific cereal shipments fell by 26 percent to $32 million. Wood and wood products shipments showed virtually no movement at $32.6 million, falling by a mere 0.6 percent.
In the agricultural sector, export sales of live animals nearly doubled to $2.9 million, while dried pasta exports dropped to $9.8 million, a decline of 16 percent from 2005 levels.
Excluding exports of Montana-origin wheat made in bulk from west coast grain handling facilities, Montana's top export market for 2006 continued to be Canada with export sales of $433.5 million, an increase of 16.5 percent over 2005. Japan remained as the state's second largest export market with $85 million in export sales, an increase of 58 percent, largely on increased shipments of silicon to the country. Germany remained as the state's third largest export market consuming nearly $54.9 million of Montana exports. Sales to Mexico increased by 10.6 percent, but for the year the country remained as the state's fourth largest export destinations with $42 million in shipments. Rounding out the state's top five foreign markets, exports to Taiwan rose by 13 percent to $36.7 million.
For 2006, shipments to Singapore increased fourfold, largely on the strength of increased sales of industrial machinery, metal oxides, and silicon to that country, to make Singapore the state's sixth largest export market. Exports to China and the Republic of Korea grew in 2006 as well, with China reaching $31.9 million and Korea attaining $31.8 million. The United Kingdom and the Netherlands ranked as the ninth and tenth largest export markets for state with export shipments totaling $24.4 million and $20.5 million, respectively.
In terms of regional markets, 36.7 percent of all Montana exports (including bulk wheat shipments) were sent to its NAFTA partners, Canada and Mexico. Shipments to Pacific Rim countries accounted for 50.0 percent of total Montana exports, while exports to Europe accounted for 11.4 percent of total Montana exports.
