Minnesota exported $5.4 billion worth of agricultural, mining and manufactured products during the second quarter of 2014, according to figures released Thursday by the state’s Department of Employment and Economic Development.

This was a 3.6 percent increase over the second quarter of 2013, which saw a $313 million decline to $5.2 billion after ten straight quarters of growth.

“Minnesota’s strong second quarter reflects an economy that is healthy and expanding,” DEED commissioner Katie Clark Sieben said in a news release.

Minnesota’s largest single export category was optics and medical devices, which accounted for $918 million. This was followed by machinery, which accounted for $907 million.

However, the state’s primary growth driver was its ore, slag and ash exports, which increased 384 percent over the second quarter of 2013 to $111 million.

Nearly all of this ore, slag and ash went to Canada and Mexico. Canada remains Minnesota’s largest export market, accounting for $1.4 billion in goods during the second quarter — however, this market saw a 1 percent drop over the same period a year ago. The state’s exports to Mexico grew by 61 percent over the second quarter of 2013 — the most of any country.

Nick Woltman can be reached at 651-228-5189. Follow him on Twitter at @nickwoltman.