Nevada’s Companies Continue to
Rack Up International Sales
Nevada’s companies racked up a record-breaking $1.544 billion in exports in the first quarter of 2009, starting the state’s seventh consecutive year of increased international export activity according to data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Nevada’s first quarter 2009 exports reflect an $85.7 million or 6 percent increase over the same period in 2008. Total exports for the entire U.S. were down 22.25 percent or $71 billion. Nevada took the number 2 slot in state export increases for the first quarter of 2009. Only three states showed increases—Mississippi, Nevada and Oklahoma—all other states experienced decreases for the first quarter of 2009.
Excluding precious metals exports which were up 27%, many of Nevada’s major product sectors showed substantial growth over the same period of 2008, with most showing double-digit or greater increases. The most notable increases of Nevada’s exports were in:
- Electrical Machinery, up 14%
- Aircraft and parts, up 470%
- Furniture and related products, up 28%
- Base metals, up 213%
- Edible food preparations, up 92%
- Wood and articles of wood, up 20%
- Articles of stone, plaster and cement, up 1,100%
- Beverages, up 23%
- Nickel and items of nickel, up 348%
- Iron and steel, up 166%
NCED’s ongoing partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to sponsor trade shows and missions to China is reaping benefits for Nevada. China has now become the state’s second largest export market for food preparations and fourth largest market for beverages.
Exports by Country
Nevada’s top export market continues to be Switzerland, primarily due to gold exports; however, the state is experiencing increases in new markets such as South Africa and the Middle East. During first quarter of 2009, Nevada’s companies exported to 141 countries. Six of the Silver State’s ten largest export markets showed growth over 2008. Nevada’s largest export markets, and their percent change from 2008, were:
- Switzerland (mainly gold), up 30%
- Japan, up 11%
- Mexico, up 8%
- Thailand, up 383%
- France, up 6%
- United Kingdom, up 11%
Nevada Among the Most Intensive Exporting States
The National Manufacturers Association ranked Nevada fifth in the nation for international export intensity of manufactured goods. Export intensity is the proportion of a states manufacturing output that is exported compared to the average for the United States as a whole.
Using the average of the entire U.S. manufacturing industry as to the amount of manufactured products that are exported versus that sold within the U.S., and setting this number to 100%,
Nevada is 43 percent above the national average. Rounding out the top five states are: Washington, 192%; Vermont, 99%; Florida, 76%; and Texas, 63%.
Nevada’s manufactured exports are largely: electrical machinery, slot machines, industrial machinery including computers and scientific, optical and medical instrumentation. Washington and Florida export aircraft and related parts; Vermont manufactures and exports computer electronics; and, Texas exports oil exploration and drilling equipment.
Companies that manufacture and export products create new and higher paying jobs. Using estimates from the U.S. Department of Commerce, there are currently about 86,000 export-related jobs in Nevada and these jobs pay on average 17% more than similar jobs for domestic production. One of every five American factory workers owes their job to exports.
The U.S Census Bureau reports that between 2004 and 2008 manufacturing output in the U.S. increased by 20% but the export of manufactured products increased 53%.
How to Become a Nevada Exporter
Is your company ready to move into the international market, about to introduce a new product internationally, and/or finding it difficult to overcome trade barriers? If so, then the Export Readiness Program is for you! We invite you to attend a consultation tailored to your individualized needs:
- Get answers to all your export questions
- Investigate strategic marketplace options
- Design tactics to fit your strategy & budget
- Learn about other State & Federal assistance programs
Is your product ready for export? Need help funding international promotions? Thinking about attending an international or domestic trade show? If so, then the Branded Program Seminars are for you! Attend our session to learn how the federally funded Market Access Program, which matches marketing funds for food and agricultural exporters, can help your business.
More than 95 percent of U.S exporters are small or mid-size companies. Your company can learn more about the benefits of the global marketplace on June 16 and 17 by attending the Export Readiness and Branded Program seminar. This specific training is being hosted by the Nevada Commission on Economic Development in its Carson City office, and is supported by the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA). It is for companies whose products are at least 50 percent agricultural content in the areas of food, beverages, raw agricultural products, dietary supplements (also called nutraceuticals), cosmeceuticals, and many wood products.
Upcoming Trade Activities
August 23-29: Food Ingredients Trade Mission to South/Central America
We will take participants on a trade mission to Guatemala and Chile. There we will meet buyers who are specifically interested in your products.
September 9-11: Food Ingredients-Asia (FI-A) trade show, Bangkok, Thailand
This is the largest food ingredient trade show in Asia and is good for every type of food ingredient product. This is the best trade event to introduce your ingredient products into the rapidly growing Southeast Asian market.
September 13-15: Trade Mission to Indonesia
Immediately after the FI-A trade show we will take exhibitors and other interested exporters on a trade mission to Indonesia. There we will meet buyers who are specifically interested in your products.
October 1-2: Inbound Buying Mission for Dietary Supplements from Europe
This is a free event for suppliers of dietary supplement products to individually meet with pre-qualified buyers from Europe. The meetings will be held in the Las Vegas area.
October 22-23: Inbound Food Ingredient Buying Mission from China
This is a free event for suppliers of food ingredient products to individually meet with pre-qualified buyers from some of China's leading firms in this industry segment. Meetings will be held in the Las Vegas area.
November 11-12: Inbound Buying Mission from Japan
This is a free event for suppliers of dietary supplements, nutraceutical and "healthy food" products to individually meet with pre-qualified buyers from some of Japan's leading firms in this industry segment. Meetings will be held in the Las Vegas area.
November 15-16: Trade Mission to Northeast China (Dalian)
Immediately before the Food & Hotel China-Shanghai trade show we will take exhibitors and other interested exporters on a trade mission to Dalian, China. There we will meet buyers who are specifically interested in your products.
If you have any questions about doing business oversees, or would like to register for the Export Readiness training or the Branded Program seminar, contact:
Alan Di Stefano
Director, Global Trade and Investment
Nevada Commission on Economic Development
Phone: (775) 687-4325, Ext. 227
E-mail: ccintl@bizopp.state.nv.us
