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Heartland Exports Tumble, Imports Hold On.
KANSAS CITY (October 8, 2003) -- According to the Heartland International Business Index (HIBI) survey of Supply Managers, new export orders fell dramatically in September to 48.6 down from August's 57.1.
This was the first time in six months that the export reading dipped below 50.0," noted Professor Ernie Goss of Creighton University, who produces the index for the Heartland International Business Alliance (HIBA). "Sluggish economic conditions among American trading partners was the prime factor pushing export orders lower."
Any index of 50.0 or greater indicates growth.
Kansas had the highest export reading at 64.3, followed by North Dakota at 62.5, Missouri at 52.8, South Dakota at 50.0, Oklahoma at 48.8, Iowa at 46.7, Nebraska at 44.8, Minnesota at 44.1, and Arkansas at 33.3.
The September import index, barely showing growth, dropped to 50.0 due to a somewhat weaker U.S. economy.
The Index is the only real-time economic indicator of international business, and measures monthly changes in new export and import orders for a nine-state region. It is a service of the HIBA and its member-city international trade associations.
| Date | Import Index | Export Index |
| September 2002 | 52.9 | 47.2 |
| 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 |
