California exports were sharply down for the eighth straight month in June as the state's struggling economy and fiscal problems among trading partners continued to put the brakes on trade.
In June, merchandise exports from the Golden State were valued at $9.98 billion, down 24.9 percent from their June 2008 level, according to the University of California Center Sacramento. The center based its analysis on data released today by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The UC center analysis noted, however, that California's June exports increased by $479 million over May totals.
Manufactured exports out of California fell by 28.8 percent in June, while agricultural goods and other non-manufactured exports shrank by 23.6 percent. Re-exports of goods previously imported into the state were off by 10.3 percent.
The UC center said California's year-to-date exports of $56.3 billion are down 23 percent from $73.2 billion in the 2008 January-to-June period.
The Commerce Department said U.S. exports were off by 24.7 percent in the first half of this year.
California import figures likewise were dismal. The UC center said the value of foreign goods entering the United States through California dropped by 33.4 percent in June compared with 2008.
State-specific imports are not broken down because some goods entering California are bound for other states throughout the nation. Consequently, exports of California-produced goods are considered the key indicator of Golden State trade.
Call The Bee's Mark Glover, (916) 321-1184.
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