Exports of Maryland products rose nearly 18 percent to $8.9 billion last year, outpacing the national growth rate, as a weak dollar drove international demand for U.S. goods.
The state Department of Business and Economic Development, which reported the numbers yesterday, said top exports from Maryland last year included transportation equipment, chemicals, computers and electronics, machinery and fabricated metal products. Total U.S. exports in 2007 were valued at $1.2 trillion, an increase of 12 percent.
"The weaker dollar against the euro: That's a particular advantage for the East Coast and Midwest industries that ship through the Atlantic," said Peter Morici, a trade expert with the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland.
Maryland rose two spots from last year and ranks 29th in the nation for exports.
Bethesda-based Lockheed Martin Corp. said it signed new contracts last year with Denmark, Spain, Australia and Turkey for missile launchers made at its Middle River plant in Baltimore County. The MK 41 Vertical Launching System is now used by the navies of 12 allied countries, including the United States, Lockheed spokesman Jim Gring said.
"We are really encouraged by the opportunities we have in the international market," Gring said.
Canada still receives more of Maryland's exports than any other country, though the value dropped slightly to $1.4 billion, from nearly $1.5 billion in 2006. Exports to the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium totaled more than $1.6 billion. Yet Maryland's fastest-growing markets are spread around the globe to spots such as Spain, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Australia and India.
With the surging pace of construction in China, demand for Maryland products there grew by more than 40 percent last year, to $446 million. China is Maryland's fifth-largest export market - up from eighth in 2006.
"That's a significant growth," said Robert L. Walker, director of international trade and investment for the Department of Economic Development. He noted that the weak dollar helped increase Maryland's exports.
The greater China region, which includes Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau, is the state's third-largest export market at $732 million. Iron and steel, aluminum and wood pulp are the top products China receives from Maryland.
Besides encouraging trade, Walker's agency hopes to convince more foreign companies to locate some U.S. operations in Maryland.
The state hopes to build on the success of its largest exporters like Northrop Grumman Corp., whose Electronic Systems Sector is based in Linthicum.
Northrop recently signed a contract with the Portuguese air force for Maryland-made radar systems. Another agreement for locally made electronic warfare systems was forged with a French company, Northrop spokesman Tom Delaney said.
Nearly 9,000 Marylanders work for Northrop's Electronic Systems Sector, which has 20 percent of its contracts with international customers, Delaney added.
"That's been consistent," he said.
laura.mccandlish@baltsun.com