The value of state merchandise exports sent overseas totalled $3.635 billion in the year to January in original terms, the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimated.

That was slightly up from $3.61 billion in the year to December, thanks to stronger sales in January than in January 2019.

The pick-up went against a recent trend of decline which followed a strong run of growth.

However, annual sales to January still trailed sales for the previous year, which totalled $3.73 billion.

It remains unclear how badly coronavirus will hit Tasmanian export sales from February onwards, but impact is expected.

Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Michael Bailey said on Thursday there was no doubt coronavirus would affect the state economy, including domestic and international exports.

The ABS estimated Tasmania exported $295 million worth of goods overseas in January.

The Asia-Pacific remained crucial for Tasmanian exports, with (APEC) Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation nations accounting for $280 million worth of Tasmanian exports in January.

The state's biggest market - mainland China - spent $118 million.

Other bigger markets included Thailand ($20 million), Japan ($18 million), Indonesia ($17 million) and Malaysia ($16 million).

Twelve-month totals are used for export figures to smooth out volatility in the monthly numbers.

Trade Minister Jeremy Rockliff said exports remained steady at about $3.6 billion in the 12 months to January, "following recent record exports the year before".

"Tasmania has seen significant growth in export trade over recent years and since 2014 exports have grown more than 30 per cent," Mr Rockliff said.

"Trade is important for Tasmania and the government is focussed on opening up more markets around the world for our world-class produce and products.

"This is why the Premier announced on Tuesday that later this month and subject to travel arrangements that I will embark on a two-week trade mission to the US - our fifth strongest trading partner - to support a range of opportunities in food, agribusiness, advanced manufacturing, space, defence, education, renewable energy and more."

Mr Rockliff said the government's Tasmanian Trade Strategy 2019-2025 - developed in partnership with Tasmania's exporters and producers - had set a target of $15 billion worth of trade by 2050.