Dover Area Merchandise Exports Increased 7 Percent in 2013

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) today announced new export data that shows merchandise exports from the Dover metropolitan area totaled $56 million in 2013.

“The Department of Commerce is dedicated to assisting U.S. firms in meeting the needs of global consumers while strengthening our economy and supporting jobs throughout the Dover area and our nation,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Stefan M. Selig. “U.S. companies of all sizes are exploring the possible benefits of exporting, and looking beyond our borders to expand their customer base. More than 95 percent of potential consumers live outside the United States and crave the world-class products offered by American businesses.”

According to international trade figures released today by ITA, 156 U.S. metropolitan areas exported more than $1 billion in merchandise in 2013. More than 200 metropolitan areas registered positive export growth between 2012 and 2013 – with 134 reaching record export levels.

Key merchandise export categories for the Dover metropolitan area in 2013 included primary metal manufactures, transportation equipment, manufactured products, paper, and chemicals. Trading partners in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation and NAFTA were the leading destinations for Dover exports.

“Delaware exporters continue to ramp up their international sales with quality, made-in-the-USA products,” said Tony Ceballos, Director of the U.S. Commercial Service in Philadelphia. “By selling internationally, many of these exporters are better able to weather changes in the economy while building their global competitiveness.”

The Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration works with American businesses of all sizes to identify export opportunities for their products and services to bolster President Obama’s National Export Initiative (NEI). A focus of the NEI is helping metropolitan areas identify regional strengths in order to increase their exports, boost the local economy, and create jobs for American workers.

For more information on exporting, contact the U.S. Commercial Service Export Assistance Center in Philadelphia at (215) 597-7141 or visit http://www.export.gov/pennsylvania/.

For more information on the impact of Metropolitan Statistical Areas on U.S. exports, including fact sheets for the top 50 exporting MSAs in 2013, visit http://www.trade.gov/mas/ian/metroreport/index.asp.

International Trade Administration

The International Trade Administration (ITA) is the premier resource for American companies competing in the global marketplace. ITA has 2,100 employees assisting U.S. exporters in more than 100 U.S. cities and 72 countries worldwide. For more information on ITA visit www.trade.gov.

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