(SitNews) - Juneau, Alaska - Governor Sean Parnell announced today that Alaska has topped the $5 billion mark in exports for the first time. The news reflects goods exported from January through November 2011, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Alaska’s total exports were $4.2 billion for all of 2010.

“Alaskans are working daily to bring ever-growing value to our exports,” said Governor Parnell. “I salute the hard work and also the knowledge that makes Alaska products attractive and desirable worldwide. Alaska’s constitutional commitment to sustainability and being prudent land and water stewards make exports like seafood and forest products even more attractive.”

Alaska’s seafood exports posted the largest year-to-year increase for this period: nearly 34 percent to $2.4 billion. Mineral ore exports rose 31.4 percent to $1.7 billion.

The export of energy declined 6.6 percent to $348.3 million with the change at the Kenai liquefied natural gas plant. In addition to liquefied natural gas, the energy category also includes refined petroleum products which more than tripled in value to $73.2 million, and coal, up 14.6 percent to $27.3 million. Precious metals rose 28.3 percent to $243.4 million.

China emerged as the top market for Alaska’s 2011 exports through November. It’s the first time China held that spot. The remaining top 20 markets for Alaska’s 2011 exports for this period are: Japan, South Korea, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, Finland, Mexico, France, Thailand, Belgium, Portugal, Taiwan, Chile, the United Kingdom, Denmark and Ukraine.  

Source of News: 

Office of the Governor
www.gov.state.ak.us

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