Texas Named Top Exporting State For 10th Straight Year

The U.S. Department of Commerce has ranked Texas the top exporting state in 2011 for the 10th year in a row.

According to officials with the Texas governor’s office, Texas? exports in 2011 totaled more than $249.8 billion, up 20.7 percent from $206.9 billion in 2010, outperforming overall U.S. exports, which grew by 15.8 percent in 2011.

Officials also said the top recipients of the states exports included Mexico, Canada, China, Brazil and the Netherlands, which respectively imported $86.6 billion, $21.9 billion, $10.9 billion, $9.9 billion and $9 billion in Texas-manufactured goods.

Texas? top exporting industries in 2011 were petroleum and coal products, chemicals, computer and electronic products, non-electrical machinery, and transportation equipment.

?For a full decade now, Texas has been the nation?s epicenter for international trade thanks to the continued strength of our state economy and the opportunities created by our business climate,? Gov. Rick Perry said. ?We remain committed to the bedrock conservative values of low taxes, reasonable regulations and fair courts that attract and keep employers in Texas, and we will continue to develop the world-class workforce necessary to meet the demands of any 21st century employer.?

According to USA Today, Texas has moved past New York as the nation?s second-largest economy, and the Wall Street Journal has credited the state?s low taxes and employer-friendly environment with helping make Texas the job creation capital of the nation.

Additionally, Texas consistently ranks among the top states for Fortune 500 headquarters.