EXPORT GROWTH BENEFITS TEXAS COMPANIES

EXPORT GROWTH BENEFITS TEXAS COMPANIES

2012 Texas merchandise exports are up 6 percent since last year

WASHINGTON – The International Trade Administration (ITA) today announced that new data shows Texas merchandise exports increased 6 percent in 2012 compared to 2011, growing from $251.0 billion to $265.4 billion. This was a record high export level for the state. Texas’s strong performance in 2012 helped the United States reach an all-time record for exports of U.S. goods and services, reaching $2.2 trillion in 2012 and supporting nearly 10 million American jobs.

Texas’s 2012 merchandise export sales outpaced the 2011 figures in many top destinations, including: Venezuela (+90 percent); France (+31 percent); Saudi Arabia (+28 percent); Chile (+22 percent); and Colombia (+10 percent). Key merchandise export categories include: petroleum products; chemicals; computer and electronic products; machinery manufactures; and transportation equipment.

“These export numbers show that for more and more Texas companies, selling internationally is key to growing their businesses and strengthening their bottom line,” said Francisco Sánchez, U.S. Commerce Under Secretary for International Trade. “Exports continue to be a driver of the U.S. economy, supporting millions of well-paying jobs across America. This data confirms that our efforts to remove trade barriers and help American businesses compete globally are having an impact right here in Texas.”

Nationwide, many small and mid-sized business also continue to “graduate” from Export University, a day-long program – led by ITA’s U.S. Commercial Service and the District Export Council – that provides export training, export and marketing strategy development, and information on locating international buyers, shipping and logistics, documentation issues, payment risks, and trade financing.

“These export numbers show that businesses across Texas continue to sell to destinations around the world,” said Karen Parker, Director of the U.S. Commercial Service in CS Austin.   “Ninety-five percent of the world’s potential consumers are outside of the United States.  Wherever you’re looking to do business, odds are the U.S. Commercial Service has boots on the ground to help find a partner or channels of distribution.”

With more than 100 offices across the United States and in American Embassies and Consulates in more than 70 countries, ITA’s U.S. Commercial Service connects U.S. companies with international buyers. In 2012, ITA helped U.S. businesses facilitate more than 14,000 export successes. Companies interested in exporting should contact their local office in Austin at 512-916-5939 or visit www.export.gov/Texas. Businesses can also order the Basic Guide to Exporting available at www.export.gov/basicguide.  

For more information about the impact of exports on individual states, including fact sheets for all 50 states, please visit the Office of Trade and Industry Information’s web page at www.trade.gov/mas/ian/statereports/.

For questions, please contact Tipten Troidl (tipten.troidl@trade.gov) at the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, or via phone at (202) 482-3015.