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HEARTLAND EXPORTS INCH TOWARDS GROWTH.
IMPORTS TAKE OFF.
KANSAS CITY, MO. (November 10, 2003) -- Failing to regain growth in October, Heartland new export orders crept closer to the 50.0 growth neutral reading, according to the Heartland International Business Index (HIBI) of supply managers.
October new export orders reached 49.5 in October, up slightly from September's 48.6. Imports soared to 56.9, up from September's 50.0.
Professor Ernie Goss, Creighton University economics department chair, who compiles the HIBI for the Heartland International Business Alliance (HIBA) noted, "Sluggish economic conditions among U.S. trading partners was the prime factor for pushing export orders lower."
South Dakota had the highest export reading at 68.8, followed by Oklahoma at 53.1, Minnesota at 52.5, Arkansas, Iowa and Kansas at 50.0, Missouri at 43.3, Nebraska at 41.2, and North Dakota at 40.0.
The October imports index rose to its highest level since December 2002.
The HIBI is a service of the HIBA and its member-city international trade associations. It is the only real-time monthly indicator of changes in exports and imports in the Heartland.
| Date | Import Index | Export Index |
| October 2002 | 53.1 | 49.2 |
| November 2002 | 47.9 | 46.8 |
| December 2002 | 59.6 | 56.7 |
| January 2003 | 53.3 | 47.0 |
| February 2003 | 56.3 | 53.7 |
| March 2003 | 52.6 | 46.8 |
| April 2003 | 56.0 | 54.3 |
| May 2003 | 53.2 | 54.0 |
| June 2003 | 52.1 | 56.1 |
| July 2003 | 55.8 | 50.0 |
| August 2003 | 53.2 | 57.1 |
| September 2003 | 50.0 | 48.6 |
| October 2003 | 56.9 | 49.5 |
