Georgia's wholesale establishments numbered 16,132 in 1997, with sales of $170 billion (a 49% increase). The state ranked 8th in growth of wholesale trade; and 7th in growth of retail trade from 1992 to 1997, with retail sales totaling $74 billion (a 48% increase). Retail sales in the Atlanta area accounted for about half of the state's total. The largest categories of establishments were automotive dealers, 14%; food stores, 11%; and eating and drinking places, 27%. Food sales in 1997 totaled $13 billion, while merchandise sales totaled $10 billion. Georgia exported goods worth $13 billion in 1998. Savannah is Georgia's most important export center.