Exports Up Modestly Midway in 2006

With shipments to Canada and the U.K. up 7.1% and 9.1%, respectively, total book exports rose 5.3% in the first six months of 2006, to $908.6 million, according to figures from the U.S. Commerce Department. A 22.2% decline in exports to Mexico coupled with a 15.9% increase in shipments to Australia made Australia the third largest market for exports in the first half of the year.

Book imports increased at a slightly slower rate than exports, up 3.4% in the period, to $952.5 million. Imports from China had another good gain, 16.1%, as the country continues to strengthen its position as the largest offshore manufacturer of books. Imports from China hit $285.9 million in the first half of 2006. Canadian exports to the U.S. rose 7.3% in the January to June span, reaching $144.7 million, putting Canada ahead of the U.K. as the second largest importer of books to the U.S. U.K. exports declined 7.9%, to $135.9 million. Although imports from China were up, imports from the other major Asian manufacturing countries were down: off 15.3% from Hong Kong; down 6.1% from Singapore; and off 4.8% from South Korea.

In terms of book categories, hardcover exports declined 7% in the first half of 2006, to $74.4 million, while exports of paperbacks rose 3.1%, to $107.8 million. Textbook exports had a strong six months, up 12%, to $200.4 million, and exports of professional titles increased 3%, to $219.8 million.

U.S. Book Exports, Six Months
2005—2006 ($ in millions)