Computer memory chips replaced cigarettes as the state of Virgina’s leading manufactured export in 2005.

Coal tops chips as the leading export overall. According to state trade officials, the chip-export market burgeoned from a fledgling US$ 12 million endeavour in 1997 to a robust US$ 646 million business last year. Meanwhile, cigarettes — once Virginia’s export pacesetter — toppled from a US$ 2.6 billion enterprise in 1997 to sales of US$ 439.5 million in 2005. Cigarettes now rank third in overall state exports behind chips and soybeans. (pi)