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Journeying from Mississippi through the shipment process, millions of dollars’ worth of Mississippi-
made products make their way each year to buyers worldwide, generating essential contributions in job
growth, production growth, and revenue for the state. With 95 percent of the world’s consumers living
outside of the United States, it’s easy to see why Mississippi’s small and large businesses alike are building
stronger trade ties with countries seeking U.S. goods and services. The expanding global marketplace
offers numerous opportunities for Mississippi companies to take the next step in competitiveness and
carve out a presence for themselves on the international stage.
As a whole, Mississippi’s diverse economy fosters a growing international trade presence that
contributes thousands of jobs and thousands of dollars of income to the state. Exports of Mississippi-
made goods come from a broad range of categories, including machinery, chemicals, food, wood
products, and electronics.
Annual exports for Mississippi
increased $900 million from 2012
to 2013. Barbara Travis, certified
economic developer and previous
Executive Director of World Trade
Center Mississippi, expects to see a
rise in exports for 2014, partly due
to steady population and economic
growth overseas.
“We are seeing a trend of
global population growth alongside
the simultaneous redistribution of
population in emerging foreign markets
where increasing numbers of people
are leaving rural areas for cities,” said
Travis. “This shift has created a rising
demand for food and other agricultural
FROM THE ‘SIP TO THE SHIP
INTERNATIONAL TRADE IS VITAL FOR MISSISSIPPI’S ECONOMIC GROWTH
