MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama Department of Commerce says the state's exports held steady last year.

The Tuscaloosa News reports Alabama exported a total of $19.3 billion in state products in 2013. That's about 1 percent lower than 2012's record high of $19.6 billion.

Making up $8.3 billion of the total, transportation equipment and parts accounted for the biggest share of the state's exports. That figure includes $6.5 billion in auto exports and $1.1 billion in automotive parts.

Commerce officials say Alabama now ranks third in the country in the value of auto exports, behind Michigan and South Carolina.

The Commerce Department says Alabama ranked 23rd among the 50 states in the value of its exports last year.