Wisconsin exports grew to $22 billion in 2011

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The governor's office says Wisconsin's exports have improved over the last year by several billion dollars.

Gov. Scott Walker's administration said Monday that overall Wisconsin exports increased in 2011 to $22 billion. That's more than an 11 percent jump from $19.8 billion in 2010.

Agricultural exports had the strongest growth, jumping by 18 percent to about $2.8 billion. The most valuable agricultural export was cereal grains, which includes wheat, corn and barley.

But industrial machinery exports still accounted for the bulk of Wisconsin's exports, bringing in about $6.8 billion in 2011. That includes construction, farm machinery and refrigerators.

The state's biggest market in 2011 was Canada with about $7 billion. Mexico was second with close to $2 billion.