The pandemic speed bump that slowed exports from Mississippi and other states in recent years is in the rearview mirror today. In 2024, Mississippi exported $13.7 billion of goods up from $10.2 billion in 2020. Look ahead, and signs point to growing volumes of exports in the Magnolia State’s top industries.
The top five exports from Mississippi last year were mineral fuels and related products at $4.3 billion; optical, photographic, medical and surgical instruments ($1.5 billion); electrical machinery and equipment and media recorders and reproducers ($1.4 billion); nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and appliances ($1.3 billion); and vehicles other than rail ($752 million).
Agriculture, too, is a leading export sector, particularly soybeans, poultry and cotton with Asia, Latin America and Africa seeing rising demand for these and other Mississippi commodities.
The export destination chart shows the top 10 global markets for Mississippi goods in 2024. Included in the top 20 are Taiwan, Vietnam, El Salvador and Pakistan, demonstrating the geographical breadth of demand for the state’s exports.
While objects in the road ahead are unpredictable, moderate export growth of 2% to 5% over the next five years is likely, says Vickie Watters, director of Mississippi Development Authority’s International Trade Office. “Best-case scenario? If EV manufacturing expands and agriculture/energy exports stay strong, Mississippi could see $20 billion or more in exports by 2030.”
Factors supporting that outlook, says Watters, include global food security concerns and population growth that could drive increases in agriculture exports, nearshoring and U.S. industrial policy benefitting auto parts and machinery exports, and demand for petrochemical-based products and LNG driving potential increases in energy-related exports.
Keeping Export Infrastructure in Ship Shape
Mississippi’s transportation infrastructure facilitates export activity with strong Interstate and rail networks, Mississippi River access to the Gulf and its Gulfport and Pascagoula ports. What’s more, infrastructure improvements across the state are under way to keep that infrastructure in top shape. They include:
Port Improvements & Waterway Infrastructure
- Port of Gulfport expansion: Ongoing upgrades to increase capacity and accommodate larger vessels post-Hurricane Katrina.
- Port of Pascagoula modernization: Investments in cargo handling and rail connectivity to support trade.
- Mississippi River dredging: Federal and state efforts to maintain and deepen shipping channels for larger barges.
Highway & Rail Upgrades
- INFRA (Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight & Highway Projects) and CRISI (Consolidated Rail Infrastructure & Safety Improvements) federal grants: Mississippi has secured federal funding for freight rail and highway projects to improve connectivity to ports and neighboring states.
- I-10 & I-55 Corridor improvements: Projects to reduce congestion and improve trucking routes for exports.
On the Road Again
Part of Mississippi’s export success is its commitment to reminding industry gatherings and key global markets that the state has the products they’re looking for. That’s why MDA Executive Director and Chief Economic Development Officer Bill Cork and other officials spend significant time participating in trade missions and conferences domestically and abroad.
“Best-case scenario? If EV manufacturing expands and agriculture/energy exports stay strong, Mississippi could see $20 billion or more in exports by 2030.”
— Vickie Watters, Director, International Trade Office,
Mississippi Development Authority
“On both the state-wide and international levels, Bill Cork consistently includes in his presentations and speeches the promotion of MDA’s International Trade Office’s international programs, services and international trade activities,” notes Watters. “Additionally, he serves as Mississippi’s head of delegation at MDA International Trade Office-hosted International Trade Missions.”
One example was the FIDAE Aerospace & Defense Trade Show in Santiago, Chile, in April 2024, where Mississippi companies Skydweller, ITT Engineered Valves, Taylor International and Kengro secured sales with international buyers. A trade mission to Panama in 2024 focused on logistics, agriculture, defense and security and heavy equipment. Mississippi companies Hyperion, Moon River Foods, MCL Logistics and Confer Consulting and Communications secured sales with international buyers.
Trade missions to Europe in 2024 focused on marine technology, aerospace, defense and security secured sales and on-going business development relationships with international buyers for NVision, Hyperion Technology, Highside Chemicals and JT Strickland.
Trade missions in 2025 are planned for Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America.
