Minnesota iron contributes to record high state exports
Minnesota iron contributes to record high state exports
Mining and manufacturing played a key role in Minnesota’s exporting a record high of $23 billion in goods in 2018, according to a Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) report released today.
The report shows Minnesota rose in the ranks to be the 20th highest exporter in the nation in 2018, exporting more than 1,000 different products to more than 200 countries.
“This increase highlights the strong economic indications we’ve seen through our ports and throughout Northeast Minnesota,” said Kelsey Johnson, Iron Mining Association of MN (IMA) president.
Among top exports were optical/medical products, machinery, electrical equipment, vehicles, aircraft and spacecraft – together accounting for more than $12 billion in exports.
“These products all contain steel and are in that way reliant on the state’s iron mining industry,” Johnson noted.
The state exported $573 million in ores, slag, and ash exports alone in 2018, according to the report.