MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) - More and more goods are being sent out of Alabama.

In 2011, exports hit a record high for the value of goods exported in a single year.  The $17.9 billion is a 15.4 percent increase from 2010 when the state exported $15.5 billion worth of goods.

"Companies in Alabama are remaining competitive in the global marketplace," Governor Robert Bentley said.  "Exports create jobs, and this surge of our products being sold overseas is fueling our state's engines for growth."

According to WiserTrade, most of the state's exports stay in the United States (38%).  Canada, China, Germany, Mexico and Japan are the top destination for Alabama exports.  Canada has been the top export destination for the last three years.  In 2011, 18.4 percent of Alabama exports wound up in Canada.

Vehicles continue to be the state's top export as the state ranks fourth in the U.S. for vehicle exports.  The top exports for Alabama ranked by dollar value are vehicles, coal, industrial machinery, plastics, electrical machinery, iron/steel, measuring instruments, aircraft, and wood pulp.  Alabama is the nation's third leading state for export of coal.