Minnesota exports jumped 17% last year to above pre-pandemic levels

The state, like the nation, imported more goods than it exported last year.

March 21, 2022 at 9:15PM
The CSL Laurentien passed the CSL Tadoussac as the ships left and entered the Port of Duluth-Superior in July 2021. Exports from Minnesota rose 17% last year. (Alex Kormann, Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Minnesota exports jumped 17% to $23.5 billion last year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

Canada and Mexico, which are typically among the top three international markets for Minnesota, were the biggest drivers of that growth, according to a report Monday by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

In 2021, state exports rose 36% to Canada and 27% to Mexico.

Growth was more moderate to Asia, which was up 8%, and to Europe, which increased by 11%.

Exports of machinery, electrical equipment and mineral fuel and oil saw the largest gains.

In total, Minnesota exported about $24 billion of agricultural, mining and manufactured products last year, according to the report. That was a 6% increase over 2019 and a return to pre-pandemic levels after state exports sank 10% in 2020.

U.S. exports as a whole rose even faster last year than in Minnesota, surging 23% over 2020 and 7% over 2019.

Minnesota ranked 22nd in exports among all states in 2021.

"The continued rebound in the state's exports is good news for Minnesota businesses — and the 112,000 Minnesotans whose jobs are supported by state exports," DEED Commissioner Steve Grove said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Minnesota imported $32.5 billion in goods last year, resulting in a trade deficit in goods of $9 billion in 2021.

about the writer

about the writer

Kavita Kumar

Community Engagement Director

Kavita Kumar is the community engagement director for the Opinion section of the Star Tribune. She was previously a reporter on the business desk.

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