St. Paul, MN (KROC AM News) -Minnesota exports totaled about $5 billion dollars in the 3rd quarter this year, but state officials say the shipments of agricultural, mining and manufacturing products to customers in other countries were down about 10-percent from a year ago.

Since the start of the year, Minnesota exports have declined about 6-percent when compared to the first 9 months of 2014.

A big drop in purchases by Canada is blamed for much of the decline. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development says exports to Canada fell 27-percent for the three-month period that ended September 30th when compared to the same period last year.

Canada remains the state’s largest customer when $1.14 billion worth of purchases from Minnesota during the 3rd quarter. China was the second-largest purchaser of Minnesota exports at $554 million.

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