In 1997, a federal census counted 3,881 wholesale establishments in Mississippi, with $20 billion in sales. Retail sales totaled $21 billion in 1997, conducted by 15,786 establishments. Food stores accounted for 15% of all establishments; automotive dealers, 17%; and eating and drinking places, 20%. Food sales totaled $3.9 billion, and general merchandise sales totaled $3.4 billion. Exports from Mississippi totaled $2.3 billion in 1998.