Governor Brian Kemp announced on Monday that Georgia set a record for exports in 2019. The state totaled $41.2 billion in exports and more than $143 billion in overall international trade.
The total is an increase of 1.5 percent increase in exports and a 2.87 percent increase in trade from 2018, despite a slight contraction of U.S. exports last year. The total trade value has nearly doubled over the past ten years.
“This exciting news for Georgia exports affirms what we know to be true: you can truly make anything and send it anywhere in the world from right here in Georgia,” said Governor Kemp. “Our state’s top-notch logistics network and services are customized across all industry sectors and regions, and hardworking Georgians continue to create products in demand across the globe.”
Manufactured goods make up 90 percent of Georgia’s exports. With more than 6,600 manufacturing firms in Georgia, employing more than 400,000 people, the international markets are a critical piece of the Georgia economy. The agricultural industry, very large in Georgia, makes up only 10 percent of the exports.
Overall, exports were sent to 214 unique countries and territories in 2019. Georgia is ranked 12th among the largest exporting states in the country, with the top five customers being neighbors Canada and Mexico, and Germany, China and Singapore. Growth in exports of civilian aircraft by 48 percent, contact lenses by 26 percent and medical instruments by 93 percent boosted exports to Germany by 20 percent in 2019.
Georgia employs representatives in 12 strategic global markets to develop increased trade, including Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Europe, Israel, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Peru and the United Kingdom. Two-thirds of Georgia’s total trade involves one of these markets.
Canada was the top export market, comprising nearly $6 billion worth of the overall $41.2 billion. Mexico was second at $3.5 billion. The aforementioned civilian aircraft was the top export product, at approximately $8.7 billion. Motor vehicles was a somewhat distant second with $1.9 billion, followed by gas turbine parts at $1.5 billion, chemical woodpulp at $1.2 billion and $1 billion worth of medical instruments to round out the top 5. Poultry was the top agricultural product, coming in 7th at $990 million.
Interestingly, many of the imports are the same types of products, or related products. Motor vehicles was the top import at $11.7 billion, followed by food preparations at $3 billion, $2.4 billion of motor vehicle parts, $2.4 billion of powered aircraft and $2.3 billion of turbojets and parts.
“In any given year, the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s International Trade Division works with more than 2,000 companies across the state to ensure their products reach the right markets for success,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Our network of 12 international offices are boots on the ground to help connect our small and large businesses with international customers, and I’m extremely proud that the hard work of our dedicated employees continues to make a difference for our state.”
