Source: http://worldcityweb.com/home/MIA/publications/magazine/54/901/

(5-a) Miami Tradenumbers 2007: Annual Report - Export

by WC


Export Boom
Strong economic growth throughout the region drives export business

With exports to Panama, Paraguay and Ecuador up 35 percent, 34 percent and 20 percent, respectively, South Florida added three more billion-dollar export markets last year, bringing the total to 14, all of them in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Brazil topped the list with $8.4 billion in purchases, a 27 percent increase over 2006, and more than double the exports to second place Venezuela at $4.2 billion.

Among South Floridas top 10 overseas markets, there were only two changes from the previous year. Exports to Colombia rose more than 20 percent, moving it into fourth spot ahead of the Dominican Republic.

Meanwhile, an 18 percent surge in sales to Peru, enjoying a period of strong economic growth, pushed that nation into ninth spot, ahead of Guatemala.

Exports to 12 of South Floridas 25 most important markets rose by 15 percent or more last year. The biggest surprises were Switzerland and the Netherlands, both of which registered increases of over 100 percent last year.

As for South Floridas top export products, computers continued to reign as the most important category. Computers have topped the list for at least 15 years. Together, exports of computers and computer parts accounted for $5.5 billion, or 12 percent of South Floridas total exports of $45.5 billion last year.