South Dakota’s global trade gains dwarfed by neighboring states

Formation of trade group credited with export push shows results; challenges persist

Former South Dakota Trade President and CEO Luke Lindberg leads the organization’s inaugural steering committee meeting in June 2023 at the offices of the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce in downtown Sioux Falls. (Joe Sneve / The Dakota Scout)

South Dakota no longer trails the country in the number of goods it’s exporting to the rest of the world.

But being marked as the country’s 47th prolific exporter into international markets isn’t good enough.

That’s according to Jesse Fonkert, the Mobridge native and economic development buff who earlier this year took the reins of South Dakota Trade Association.

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