The Bluegrass State has seen another record-setting year for exports.
Kentucky shipped $27.5 billion worth of goods to other countries in 2014, the fourth straight year the state broke its previous mark.
Joe Hall, with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, says many people would be surprised to know that the state’s leading export category isn’t auto parts or bourbon, but aerospace products.
“Our aerospace products are really diverse,” he said. “We have companies that are making parts for jet engines. We have companies that are making small satellites that are orbiting earth as we speak.”
Kentucky exported nearly $8 billion worth of aerospace parts and products last year—a 38 percent increase over 2013.
The commonwealth’s number one export destination remains Canada, followed by Mexico and the United Kingdom. Kentucky exports to France jumped by 93 percent last year.
Kentucky’s Top Five Export Markets in 2014:
1. Canada ($7.6 billion)
2. Mexico ($2.3 billion)
2. United Kingdom ($2.3 billion)
4. France ($2 billion)
5. China ($1.7 billion)
