This week, the U.S. Department of Commerce released 2018 year-end trade data for each state. Adding to South Carolina's recent international trade success, Palmetto State exporters achieved a ninth consecutive record year, selling $34.6 billion in products in more than 195 countries and territories around the world. Representing a 7.5 percent increase year-over-year, 2018's export sales total ranks 14th among all states. While these record-breaking figures are great news for the state, they also indicate that our industry sectors are healthy and growing.
A major contributor to these strong numbers is the state's automotive industry. Again last year, South Carolina led the nation in the export sales of both completed passenger vehicles and tires. The state also experienced a significant jump in the export sales of aircraft -- up 25.5 percent over the previous year. Moving forward, we will continue to prioritize the growth of our international trade footprint and will encourage companies of all sizes to expand their reach into new markets overseas.