Minnesota businesses exported a record $23 billion in goods in 2018, a 10 percent jump from the year before.

The state’s export growth outpaced the nation’s as a whole, which grew at an 8 percent clip, according to the latest figures released Wednesday by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

“Minnesota businesses exported more than 1,000 different products to over 200 countries last year,” Gov. Tim Walz said in a statement. “These businesses are expanding sales to their core customers as well as finding new markets around the world.”

Exports support nearly 118,000 Minnesota jobs, according to DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. The agency’s trade office helps with export counseling and technical assistance to small and medium-sized businesses; last year assisting more than 1,500 business owners.

The state’s export ranking among its peers rose from 23rd most in 2017 to 20th last year, according to DEED. State officials note that strong growth happened despite uncertainty created by the nation’s changing trade policies.

WHERE DID IT GO?

The state’s largest export markets were:

Canada, $4.8 billion China, $2.8 billion Mexico, $2.4 billion Japan, $1.5 billion Germany, $1.1 billion Korea, $1 billion Singapore, $656 million United Kingdom, $621 million Belgium, $603 million Philippines, $496 million.

WHAT DID THEY WANT

Minnesota’s top exported products were:

Optics and medical goods, $4.5 billion Machinery, $3.5 billion Electrical equipment, $3.1 billion Plastics, $1.5 billion Vehicles, $1.4 billion Food by-products, $633 million Pharmaceuticals, $612 million Ores, slag, and ash, $573 million Aircraft and spacecraft, $484 million Meat, $373 million.

To read the entire report, go to the state’s Employment and Economic Development website.