Considering its small size, Connecticut is a busy commercial state. In 1997, Connecticut had 6,091 wholesale establishments. Retail sales in 1997 totaled $36 billion, from 20,606 establishments. Of total retail establishments in 1997, food stores accounted for 10%; automotive dealers and service stations, 12%; and restaurants and taverns, 29%. Food sales amounted to $6.4 billion while general merchandise sales came to $2.9 billion in 1997. The estimated value of Connecticut's goods exported abroad was $7.3 billion in 1998. Shipments of transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery, electric and electronic equipment, and instruments accounted for most of the state's foreign sales. Tobacco is the major agricultural export. Foreign exports go primarily to Canada and France.