Missouri has been one of the nation's leading trade centers ever since merchants in Independence (now part of the Kansas City metropolitan area) began provisioning wagon trains for the Santa Fe Trail. In 1997, Missouri had 11,260 wholesale establishments, with sales of $96 billion. Retail sales totaled $52 billion in 1997 from 32,757 establishments. Automotive dealers accounted for 16% of establishments; food stores, 10%; and eating and drinking places, 29%. Food sales accounted for $8.8 billion in revenues, while general merchandise took in $8 billion. Foreign exports of Missouri products exceeded $5.7 billion in 1998.