Last year, the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s 4,000 manufacturers exported a state–record $25.3 billion in goods and services to about 200 countries. So far this year, Kentucky’s exports are up nearly 10 percent while the national average is about 3 percent.
Manufacturers in Kentucky employ 220,000, according to a recent report for the commonwealth’s Cabinet for Economic Development.
Following are the top products Kentucky has exported so far this year through August, according to the cabinet:
Aerospace products and parts:
$4.9 billion
Motor vehicles and parts:
$3.7 billion
Resins, synthetic rubbers and fibers:
$943 million
Pharmaceuticals and medicines:
$709 million
Basic chemicals:
$513 million
Navigational, measuring, electromedical and control instruments:
$373 million
Communications equipment:
$298 million
General purpose machinery:
$291 million
Plastics:
$266 million
Iron and steel:
$263 million