Calif. Exports Gain For 18th Straight Month

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Amid signs that global economic growth is slowing, California exporters continue expanding their overseas shipments.

The state's exporters sent $12.9 billion worth of goods abroad in April, Beacon Economics said Thursday in a report based on federal data. That's up 14.4 percent from the previous year and represents the 18th month in a row of year-over-year growth.

Export of manufactured goods grew 10.7 percent from April 2010. Shipments of raw materials, agricultural products and other non-manufactured goods swelled 21.3 percent in a year. After adjusting for inflation, that's nearly as high as the pre-recession peak for April, set in 2007.

State imports also grew, by nearly 10 percent.

The report said export growth is expected to continue growing in the second half of 2011, but the pace will slow.

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