World Trade Statistics for California and the Los Angeles Region
l California is the nation’s largest exporting state, accounting for 16.6% of total U.S. 2000 exports.
l California exports increased 20.7% in 2000 to $129.7 billion in merchandise goods, supporting 420,000 new jobs. This is the fifth year in a row that California’s exports have exceeded $100 billion.
l These California export numbers do not include California’s trade in services, which account for at least an additional $46 billion of exports and more than 500,000 jobs.
l California is the “gateway to the Pacific” and home to the nation’s most active international ports. Total two-way trade through California’s three customs districts (Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego) totaled $392 billion in 2000, 19.6% of total U.S. trade.
l The San Pedro Bay Ports (Los Angeles and Long Beach) comprise the largest port complex in the U.S. and the third largest in the world. They support more than $170 billion in two-way trade annually, and directly or indirectly support more than 500,000 jobs.
TRADE
& EMPLOYMENT
l
California’s international trade and investment directly
and indirectly support 2.7 million jobs in the Golden State. One in every seven
California jobs is trade related.
l
California claims the largest and most highly educated labor
force in the U.S., with more than 15 million workers, 25% of whom are college
graduates.
l
Workers at exporting companies earn an average
15% more, receive 1/3 higher benefits, and have greater job stability.
Exporting plants are 30-50% more productive than non-exporting
manufacturers, and exporting companies’ sales per employee are 1.5 times
higher than non-exporters. Growth rates of employment, output and productivity
are 3-11% higher among exporting companies.
LEADING
EXPORT INDUSTRIES
l
Export growth in 2000 was driven by significant double-digit
growth to its top three export sectors: electronics and electrical equipment
($37.8 billion, up 22%), industrial machinery and computer equipment ($37.6
billion, up 36%), and instruments and related products ($11.9 billion, up 29%).
These sectors combined to account for nearly
88% ($19.5 billion) of export growth and 67% of total California exports in
2000.
l
Other key sectors showing strong growth include:
chemicals and allied products ($5 billion, up 17.6%), agricultural crops ($3.9
billion, up 25 percent), miscellaneous manufacturing products ($2.3 billion, up
12%), and rubber and plastic products ($1.9 billion, up 23%).
l
The only key sector showing an export decline in
2000 was the volatile transportation equipment sector, which declined 15% to
total $8.6 billion.
