Book Exports Posted Modest Gain in 2008

American publishers managed to find some growth abroad last year as book exports rose 2.4%, to $2.19 billion, according to figures released by the U.S. Commerce Department. While exports rose modestly, imports fell slightly, dropping 3.0%, to $2.21 billion.

The largest gain among America's biggest trading partners was to the United Arab Emirates, as that region's effort to broaden its educational and entertainment materials appears to have led to some tangible results. Textbook exports accounted for about half of all books shipped to the U.A.E. in 2008, rising 116%, to $9.1 million. Professional book exports jumped nearly 85%, to $4.6 million, while hardcover trade titles rose a more modest 7.4%, to $2.3 million. Shipments to Canada, the largest market for exports, increased 3.8% in 2008, to just under $1 billion. Exports to the U.K. rose 13.6%, led by demand for textbooks and mass market paperbacks. After a big spike in 2007, exports to Germany fell 41.1% last year, although the $44.8 million in shipments in 2008 still represented the second biggest year for book exports to that country.

Among the major book segments, hardcover trade titles posted the strongest gains, driven by a 35.5% increase in shipments to Canada and good gains to India and Singapore. Hardcover exports to the U.K. and Australia were down significantly. Shipments of textbooks increased 19.3% last year. In addition in big increases in textbook exports to the U.A.E. and the U.K., exports to Korea and Singapore rose by more than 10%. Mass market paperback exports increased 13.5%, with solid increases to Canada, the U.K., Australia and South Africa leading the way. Exports of professional books declined 10.2% in 2008, to $504 million, but that was still the second largest export segment behind textbooks, where exports were valued at $513 million. Exports of Bibles and other religious titles dropped 7.1% as exports to all the major markets fell.

The decline in imports reflected in part overall lower demand for manufacturing abroad, with imports from China dipping 1.1%, to $806.7 million. The decline was the first time shipments from China fell in more than 10 years. Imports from Singapore and Hong Kong dropped 4.2% and 14.2%, respectively. Imports from Canada rose 3.3%, to $308.3 million, moving Canada ahead of the U.K. as the second largest source of imports.

Book Exports, 2007—2008 ($ in thousands)