Part of the reason for the decline was the falling values of minerals, particularly for zinc from the huge Red Dog mine near Kotzebue, the state said.
Last year the global price of zinc averaged 89 cents a pound, down from $1.56 a pound in 2007. The value of Alaska's zinc, lead and copper exports was $691 million last year, down from $1.3 billion.
The average price of another key Alaska mineral -- gold -- grew last year, averaging $871 an ounce vs. $697 in 2007. Alaska's precious metal exports were valued at $144 million last year, up 9 percent.
The total value of Alaska exports last year was the fourth highest ever, the state said.
The top export is seafood. Last year the state exported $1.8 billion in seafood, down 9 percent. Europe is a growing market for Alaska seafood. Ten years ago Europe got less than 5 percent of the exports. Last year it got about 25 percent, the state said.
Here are the countries that get the most Alaska products:
• Japan -- $1.1 billion, up 22 percent. Seafood was 51 percent of the total, energy (liquefied natural gas) 31 percent, minerals 13 percent, forest products 3 percent.
• China -- $733 million, up 2 percent. Seafood was 55 percent of the total, minerals 17 percent, energy 16 percent fish meal 3 percent, forest products 3 percent.
• Canada -- $370 million, down 33 percent. Minerals (zinc) was 57 percent of the total, seafood 23 percent, energy 9 percent, machinery 3 percent.
• South Korea -- $366 million, down 48 percent. Seafood was 62 percent of the total, minerals 28 percent, forest products 7 percent, energy 2 percent.
• Germany -- $208 million, up 3 percent. Seafood comprises 81 percent of the total and minerals 17 percent.
• Switzerland -- $148 million, up 12 percent. Precious metals was 96 percent of the total and seafood 3 percent.
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