Weak global economy, strong dollar likely hurting Kansas exports

The global economic slowdown and a strong dollar are likely cutting into Kansas’ normally robust exports, turning a longtime state strength into a weak spot.

Many of the categories of exports important to the state, particularly in agriculture, have been hammered through the first 11 months of 2015, according to numbers released Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

U.S. exports of wheat, the state’s second most important export, are down 27.5 percent or $2 billion from a year earlier. U.S. exports of meat, also a top export, are down 16.5 percent. State-specific figures for Kansas 2015 exports are not yet available.

Overall U.S. exports are down 7 percent through November, and many economists are blaming the slowing global economy for hurting U.S. economy, particularly manufacturers and commodity producers such as farmers and ranchers.

It’s a continuation of trends from 2014, when Kansas saw the value of its exports fall 3.3 percent from 2013.

The possible good news for Wichita is that U.S. civilian aircraft exports are up 10 percent through November. Civilian aircraft and parts are the state’s top export.

This story was originally published January 6, 2016 at 11:00 AM with the headline "Weak global economy, strong dollar likely hurting Kansas exports."