China Book Trade Leaps

Led by a 6% increase in exports to Canada, America's largest foreign book market, total book exports rose 2.8% in 2006, to $1.95 billion, according to figures from the U.S. Commerce Department. The largest increase in exports last year was to China, an indication that the country could eventually develop into the lucrative book market that many publishers hope for. At this point, however, total exports to China are only $25.8 million, and are dwarfed by the amount of books imported from the country, $724.7 million, a 19.7% increase over 2005. The jump in imports in 2006 further cemented China's place as the largest offshore manufacturer of books for U.S. publishers. Imports from Canada—a mix of books manufactured in the country as well as those originally published there—rose 4%, to $292.3 million, keeping Canada just ahead of the U.K. as the second largest source of overseas books.

Although exports of professional books inched ahead only 0.6% last year, to $478.3 million, the segment remained the largest export category, while exports of textbooks rose 3%, to $426 million. The two segments were also of the most interest to China, with exports of professional books jumping 90%, to $10.6 million, and textbook exports increasing 26%, to $6.2 million. Among the trade segment, total hardcover exports fell 1%, to $162.7 million, and paperback exports crept up 0.1%, to $216.7 million.

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