Alaska trade exports show solid increase

Alaska's sales of goods to foreign countries during the first three quarters of 2003 posted an increase of $106 million to over $2.1 billion, up 5 percent over the same period last year. The third quarter saw the value of the state's exports of seafood products rise by $54.5 million, and precious

That increase comes on the heels of a 13 percent surge in export numbers in the first half of 2003, compared to a 1 percent decline in the first half of 2002.

The data showed seafood product exports increasing 5 percent to $2.65 billion for the first nine months of 2003, with most species showing gains. During the ninemonth period frozen sockeye salmon sales grew 4 percent, frozen cod increased 14 percent and halibut exports were up 63 percent. Fresh salmon exports grew 4 percent, fresh halibut exports were up 18 percent and fresh cod sales gained 40 percent, according to state Trade Economist Mark Edwards.