Exports Post Solid Gains in 2007

Helped by a weak dollar, which makes American products more affordable overseas, book exports rose 9.6% in 2007, to $2.13 billion, according to estimates from the U.S. Commerce Department. The increase followed a 2.8% gain in 2006.

The biggest increase last year among major markets was in exports to Germany, where shipments jumped almost 99%. Significant increases to Germany came in the professional, religious and picture book segments. Exports to India also posted a big increase last year, rising 84%, led by a 168% jump in professional book exports. Shipments to America’s top trading partners had moderate gains in the year, with Canada maintaining its solid lead over the U.K. as the biggest export market for books.

Book imports, which include books both published abroad as well as those manufactured overseas, rose 7.4% in 2007, to $2.28 billion. Imports from China, the largest foreign book manufacturer, increased 12.5% last year, to $815.7 million. The increase was the lowest since China began ramping up its manufacturing capabilities in the late 1990s. Imports from the U.K. rose 16% last year, allowing it to recapture second place from Canada, where imports rose only 2.2%. U.K. imports reached $332.6 million last year. Imports from Hong Kong fell 8.4%, to $125.1 million, keeping it just above Singapore in fourth place.

Among the export categories, the art and picture book segment had the strongest year, with shipments up 67%, to $26.3 million. Exports of professional books, the largest segment, rose 17.3%, to $561 million, while religion book exports rose 20.2%, to $114 million. The mass market paperback category had a 10.5% increase in exports, while textbooks inched ahead 1.0%, to $430 million. Exports of trade hardcovers dipped 1.6%, to $160.1 million, with major declines in exports from the U.K. and Australia.