Alaska exports up 11 percent in first half of 2000, crude oil exports up 37 percent from last year

Petroleum News Alaska Staff

Alaska’s total exports for the first half of 2000 topped $1.2 billion, an increase of 11 percent over the first half of 1999, when exports totaled $1.09 billion, Gov. Tony Knowles said Aug. 28.

Exports to Alaska’s number one export market, Japan, totaled $697 million during the first half of 2000 — an increase of 18 percent over the first half of 1999. First half 2000 exports to South Korea, Alaska’s number two export market, totaled $260 million, an increase of 13 percent from the first half 1999 totals.

Seafood continues to be Alaska’s number one export product, but the state attributed much of the strength in current export numbers to energy exports.

Crude oil exports during the first half of 2000 totaled $288 million, an increase of 37 percent from the first half of 1999.

Natural gas exports were relatively stable while coal exports were up 50 percent to $8.3 million during the first half of 2000.

Fertilizer exports from North Kenai totaled $81.8 million, showing a strong increase of 38 percent during the first half of 2000.