RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - Fueled by exports to Canada, Mexico, and China, North Carolina businesses sold $31 billion in merchandise to international markets last year, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

That marks an increase of 7 percent from 2013. North Carolina’s export growth rate more than doubles the national average growth of 2.8 percent.

Canada is our state's largest export partner, with 22 percent of our sales. Next in line is Mexico at 10 percent and China at 9 percent. Growth countries include Saudi Arabia and Japan.
 
The state ranked 15th nationally in both overall exports and rate of growth.

North Carolina’s most significant merchandise export categories include chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, computer and electrical products, and textiles.  Other export categories with high growth include electrical equipment, appliances and components, food and wood products.