North Dakota Exports on the Rise | Video

Jessica Roose | 8/20/2012

The state`s economy is booming, and the success can`t all be attributed to the oil industry. International exports are on the rise. In fact the state has seen a 24 percent increase between January to June of this year compared to 2011.

It doesn`t seem to matter what part of the state you`re in, one thing is obvious. North Dakota is booming.

Drew Wrigley: "The economy is diverse here in North Dakota and it`s growing for a lot of reasons. We`re excited about the energy sector of course. But we`re also excited about manufacturing and exports," said North Dakota Trade Office Chairman and Lieutenant Governor Drew Wrigley.

Some of the largest areas of increase in exports come from food manufacturing, chemicals, machinery and agriculture products.

"We produce far more than we consume. So we need to find a home for it. The other thing is we have so many jobs tied to food and to agriculture that our ability to do that just continues to bolster and feed our economy," said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring.

North Dakota ranks eleventh in exports of ag products with the main commodity being wheat. But wheat isn`t the only product leaving the state, Wrigley says much of the exports are coming from manufactured goods, which is a benefit for the state.

"It`s not simply one component or commodity be it oil or wheat or peas or whatever it might be. You really see people looking for all sorts of opportunities."

Since 2000, commercial exports have increased over 400 percent. Our products are being sent all over the world with the bulk going to Canada, Mexico, Germany, Australia and Kazakhstan.

The North Dakota Trade Office was created in 2005. Several states are looking to mirror the program after seeing its success.

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