Gov. Jay Nixon today visited Lifeline Foods in St. Joseph, a company which exports food, feed and fuel to customers throughout the globe, to announce that Missouri’s international exports are up 12 percent this quarter over this time last year, and remain up more than 13 percent for the entire year. This year-to-date increase in exports translates to an additional $1.2 billion worth of Missouri goods being sold to customers around the world.

“Today’s global marketplace demands that we have a global strategy, one that leverages the strength of Missouri’s farmers, ranchers, producers and manufacturers, and empowers them to sell their products abroad and create jobs at home,” Gov. Nixon said. “We will continue to work every day to ensure that more companies across Missouri can sell their products in every corner of the globe, and that the people of the world know the quality behind those three words: Made in Missouri.”

In 2010, Gov. Nixon’s administration undertook a comprehensive, statewide strategic-planning process to identify the best ways to make Missouri competitive in the 21st century.

After input from hundreds of leaders across the state, Missouri developed a clear set of strategies to create jobs and grow the economy. One of the top strategies identified was to focus on expanding Missouri exports.

Since then, the state’s international exports are up by 13 percent – or an additional $1.2 billion – through the first three quarters of 2011, after increasing an impressive 35 percent during 2010.
Last month, the Governor led a delegation of Missouri business and agriculture leaders to the People’s Republic of China. While there, the State of Missouri signed a series of agreements to sell $4.6 billion of Missouri goods to China over the next three years.

Earlier this week, the Missouri Department of Economic Development reported that employers added approximately 1,100 new jobs in the state in October. The state’s unemployment rate fell to 8.5 percent, down by two-tenths of a point from September, on a seasonally adjusted basis. The U.S. seasonally adjusted rate for October was 9 percent.

More information about international trade services offered by Gov. Nixon’s administration can be found at MO.gov.

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