Iowa’s $15.1 billion in exports in 2014 set a new record, and 25 other states set new highs as well, U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker announced today.

The national total of $2.4 trillion in merchandise exports marked the fifth consecutive annual record.

Another eight states showed growth in exports.

Texas led the states with $289 billion in exports, followed by California with $174.1 billion and Washington with $90.6 billion.

Iowa’s $15.1 billion ranked 18th.

Among other Midwestern states setting records, Illinois had $68.2 billion in exports; Indiana, $35.5 billion; Wisconsin, $23.4 billion; Minnesota, $21.4 billion; Nebraska, $7.9 billion; and North Dakota, $5.3 billion.

Pritzker stressed that exports are critical to economic growth and job creation.”With 95 percent of the world’s consumers living outside the United States, opening more markets to ‘Made in America’ goods and services is fundamental to our nation’s competitiveness, job creation and the economic security of our families,” she said.

Click here to read an article the Business Record reported about Iowa’s export plans in 2013.