Alabama companies exported goods and services worth more than $27.4 billion in 2023 – the second straight year that exports bested the previous year’s total.

Overseas shipments of Alabama-made vehicles, aerospace parts, minerals and metals, as well as other products, rose more than 6% from the 2022 mark of $25.5 billion, according to the Alabama Department of Commerce.

“Exporting acts as a fundamental economic pillar that supports growth in Alabama, sparking both new investment and job creation here at home,” Gov. Kay Ivey said in an announcement.

“The record-breaking success of our exporters extends the reach of the ‘Made in Alabama’ brand while reflecting the high level of demand for our homegrown products.”

Alabama exports have jumped almost 43% since the trade-impaired pandemic year of 2020.

The state’s goods were shipped to 190 countries, with Germany topping the list at $5.1 billion worth of goods. That was an improvement of 17%.

Other top trading partners included:

• Canada: $3.9 billion (down 2%)
• China: $3.8 billion (up 15%)
• Mexico: $3.2 billion (up 16%)
• South Korea: $1.2 billion (up 15%)

Other leading destinations for Alabama exports in 2023 were Japan, Brazil, Poland, India and Saudi Arabia.

Motor vehicles unsurprisingly led exports in 2023, with a record annual total of $11.5 billion, up more than a quarter from the prior year. Germany, China and Canada were the leading destinations for Alabama automobiles, according to the Commerce department.

And the larger category of transportation equipment, which include motor vehicles, auto parts, ships and aerospace products, was the state’s No. 1 export category, topping $14.8 billion.

Aerospace products and parts topped $2.1 billion last year, a rise of 23% from the previous year. Other categories vaulting the $1 billion mark were minerals and ores ($2.2 billion), chemicals ($2.2 billion) and primary metals ($1.8 billion).

Alabama Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair said the record “really highlights the fact that companies across Alabama continue to provide top-quality goods and services that are sought by customers worldwide.”

“Looking forward, the potential for greater export growth is there, and we are already exploring new and expanding markets for Alabama companies,” McNair said.