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South Carolina exports rise to $13.9 billion, with strong growth in sales to India, China, Mexico

Contact: Karen Owens, SC Department of Commerce, 803.737.2166

February 15, 2006

South Carolina Exports Hit Record Levels in 2005
State exports rise to $13.9 billion, with strong growth in sales to India, China, Mexico

Columbia, SC – The labels might not specifically say “Made in South Carolina,” but the world increasingly looks to the Palmetto State to supply it with products ranging from machinery to wood pulp to paper. As a result, the state’s exports increased 4.25% in 2005, to a record $13.9 billion.

Canada was the top international destination for South Carolina products, followed by Germany, Mexico, the United Kingdom, China, the Netherlands, Belgium, Japan, France and Australia. Among countries purchasing more than $100 million in South Carolina goods, exports to India saw the most rapid growth, rising 45%, followed by those to Switzerland (42.5%), China (29%), Mexico (28%) and Turkey (24%).

Manufacturing sectors that led the state’s export growth include photographic film (up 44%), organic chemicals (+43%), wood pulp (+26%) and paper and paperboard (+25%).

“Ninety-five percent of the world’s consumers live outside of the United States, and more South Carolina companies are looking to increase their bottom line by exporting and making new sales to foreign markets,” said U.S. Export Assistance Center Director Ann Watts.

“Exporting helps companies grow and compete by enabling them to diversify their portfolios and weather changes in the domestic economy,” Watts added. “These new numbers reflect that trend and are a tribute to the efforts of the Export Development Division of the S.C. Department of Commerce and other trade promotion partners in this state.” The U.S. Export Assistance Center in Columbia is part of the worldwide U.S. Commercial Service and links the state with federal export assistance programs and services. It also serves as state’s lead export partner.

“We’re proud that so many South Carolina companies continue to thrive in the international marketplace,” said Secretary of Commerce Bob Faith. “Exports create so many jobs for South Carolinians. It’s estimated that for every $1 billion of goods exported, 16,000 jobs are sustained. That means our $13.9 billion in exports last year is keeping some 222,400 South Carolinians employed.”

South Carolina’s top ten export product sectors in 2005 were: 1. Vehicles; 2. Machinery; 3. Electrical Machinery; 4. Plastic; 5. Rubber; 6. Organic Chemicals; 7. Paper and Paperboard; 8. Optic, Photographic and Medical/Surgical Equipment; 9. Wood Pulp; 10. Cotton.

In the booming Chinese market, South Carolina led the nation in exports of both railway equipment and synthetic fibers and ranked fourth in the U.S. in exports of both organic chemicals and knitted fabrics. In Canada, South Carolina ranked second among the states in exports of synthetic yarn and fabric and photographic film. And in Mexico, South Carolina ranked second among all states in exports of both rubber products and synthetic fibers and fabrics.

Commerce’s Office of Export Development and Foreign Relations provides resources to help South Carolina businesses of all sizes compete in the global economy. These resources include assistance in identifying new markets and sales opportunities; help with determining export prices and payment terms; and international networking through trade missions, trade shows and global videoconferences.

Formerly known as the International Trade team, Commerce changed its name to better reflect the export development services they provide to South Carolina companies looking to sell their products and services abroad.

For more information about Export Development’s services, please contact Clarke Thompson at 803.737.0438 or by email at cthompson@sccommerce.com.

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