South Carolina had 5,965 wholesale establishments in 1997, with sales of $37 billion, exhibiting the 3rd-fastest growth rate for sales in the country (68%) between 1992 and 1997. Tobacco wholesale markets and warehouses are centered in the Pee Dee region, while soybean sales and storage facilities cluster around the port of Charleston; truck crops, fruits, and melons are sold in large quantities at the state farmers' market in Columbia. Sales from 24,572 retail establishments in 1997 totaled $35 billion, of which food stores accounted for 11% of establishments, automotive dealers, 15%; and eating and drinking places, 26%. In 1998, foreign exports were valued at $7.7 billion. Exports, mostly machinery, transportation equipment, and electronics; went primarily to Canada, Mexico, and Germany.