According to a BCStats report, there was a 13.7% jump in the value of B.C. exports in 2011’s first half compared with the same period in 2010.
That’s despite exports to the U.S., B.C.’s most significant trading partner, increasing only 0.1%.
Substantial increases in shipments to destinations such as mainland China (+52.4%), Japan (+10.5%), South Korea (+34.5%), Taiwan (+40%) and the European Union (+27.4%) were the main contributors to the overall growth in exports.
Of the major commodity groups, energy products saw the largest rise in exports, with shipments increasing 17.5% in the first half of the year compared with the same period in 2010.
Metallic mineral exports climbed 13.5% year-to-date. Exports of wood products (+12.5%) and pulp and paper (+12.9%) showed strong growth. Exports of agricultural and food products (excluding fish) increased 15.9%.
Other exports that grew included machinery and equipment (+7.4%), fabricated metal products (+14.8%) and chemicals and chemical products (+14.7%).
Jennifer Harrison
Twitter: JHarrisonBIV