New merchandise export sales for November show Saskatchewan was up by 12.6 percent compared to the previous November.

The Saskatchewan government says the number is the highest percentage increase among the provinces, and more than double the increase from the second closest province.

Nationally, exports were down 2.5 percent.

The value of exports in November was 2.7 billion dollars.

Trade and Export Development minister Jeremy Harrison says the growth is truly remarkable and shows that the world continues to need what Saskatchewan has to offer.

In the first 11 months of 2020, exports were up in Saskatchewan by 3.3 percent compared to a national decline of 13 percent.

Saskatchewan was also first among the provinces year to date, and one of only 2 provinces to see an increase rather than a decrease.

Major increases in exports were led by farm and intermediate food products.