Washington Exports Fall Slightly Decline In Plane Sales Blamed For 5 Percent Drop Last Year
A big drop in exports of Boeing planes was largely offset by other Washington industries last year, keeping the overall decline in state exports to just 5 percent.
Exports of transportation equipment - mainly aircraft, but also Kenworth heavy trucks - dropped from $15 billion in 1994 to $10 billion last year. But the total value of state exports declined by only $1.3 billion, from $26.1 billion to $24.8 billion, according to figures compiled by the Massachusetts Institute for Social and Economic Research.
“It shows an amazing strength in the state’s economy,” said Steve Odom, managing director-international for the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development.
Farm-product exports were up a whopping 94.9 percent, although that category includes commodities like Midwest corn that are shipped from Washington ports but grown elsewhere.
Exports of Washington farm products also were up, but more modestly, said Desmond O’Rourke, director of Washington State University’s International Marketing Program for Agricultural Commodities and Trade.
Seafood exports dropped 10 percent.
The figures are based on customs declarations that list Washington as the products’ state of origin. Fish processed here, for example, would be counted as a Washington export even if it was caught in Alaska.
On the other hand, at least one big-ticket item isn’t included: Software, a $3 billion export industry, is classified as a service rather than merchandise.
Demand for Washington exports grew 67 percent in South Korea and 34 percent in Taiwan. Japan’s imports of Washington products grew more slowly, but it remained the state’s top customer. Exports to Canada rose almost 23 percent.
Exports to China dropped 42 percent because of lower Boeing sales, while exports to Mexico were off 63 percent in the wake of the peso’s collapse. xxxx BUCKING THE TREND Washington exports decreased in 1995, but foreign sales of these state products increased, based on total value: Wood products, up 6 percent. Electronic equipment, up 14 percent. Industrial machinery and computers, up 31 percent. Processed food, up 40 percent. Paper products, up 44 percent. Primary metals, mostly aluminum ingot, up 48 percent. Farm products, up 95 percent.