• Canada–U.S. trade supported 7.1 million U.S. jobs
• Total Canada–U.S. merchandise trade: $535 billion
• 404,750 Florida jobs are supported by Canada–U.S. trade
• Canadians made more than 2,482,000 visits to Florida, spending $2.6 billion
• Florida residents made 420,400 visits to Canada, spending $288 million
• Total Canada-Florida trade in 2007 was $8.1 billion, an increase of 23% over 2006

A Close Relationship

Despite their distance, Florida and Canada enjoy a dominant trading relationship. In 2007, bilateral trade in merchandise climbed to $8.1 billion, an increase of 23% from the previous year. The state sold $3.2 billion in goods to its northern neighbor and imported $4.9 billion worth. Although Canada is the state’s second largest international destination, the partners traded a substantial $22 million worth of goods on an average day.

Fresh produce

Agricultural goods, Florida’s leading export sector to Canada, accounted for $736 million in 2007. The Canadian thirst for Florida orange juice and concentrates set new records with purchases valued at $203 million. Fresh tomato sales, another staple increased by almost 20%, enriching Florida coffers by $81 million. Overall the state enjoyed a trade surplus of $346 million as its agricultural exports to Canada increased by 17% from the previous year.

Energy security

Canada and Florida share a close energy relationship. The state imported $640 million in energy from its northern NAFTA partner in 2007, an increase of 77% from the previous year. Energy shipments consisted primarily of petroleum and coal products.

Moving ahead

The partners enjoy profitable trade in transportation equipment. Bilateral sales climbed to $904 million in 2007, an increase of 26% from the previous year. Florida, noted for its skilled manufacture of ships, boats and parts, except engines supplied Canadian mariners with $93 million worth. In return, dynamic Canadian aerospace firms supplied the state with $307 million in aircraft, aircraft engines and parts, and trucks.

Canada–Florida Success Stories

Vancouver’s Lululemon opened its first retail stores in Florida in 2007, with a store in the Aventura Mall in Miami and showrooms in Orlando, Naples, and Miami. Lululemon has invested over $2 million and employs 10 Floridians in its new offices. The company sells athletic clothes and accessories, and offers healthy lifestyle classes.

The Disney vendor system lists seven Canadian consumer products companies as a result of a December 2007 business mission to Orlando. The mission, a direct follow-up to Atlantic Canada’s two Team Canada Atlantic Trade Missions to Florida a year before, helped secure contracts for the companies. Disney World boasts over 100 million visitors per year; these Canadian products will have a showcase at the number one tourist destination in the world.

In September, 2007, nine out of ten Canadian information and communication technologies (ICT) companies involved in a regional ICT conference in Miami were successful in signing contracts, initially worth over $30 million, with U.S. and Latin American value-added resellers.

Canadian consulting and engineering company Rowan Williams Davies & Irwin Inc. (RWDI) — now celebrating its 35th year of business — has opened a new 10,000 square foot wind engineering facility in Miramar. The full-service operation combines engineering expertise with state-of-the-art technology to assess the impacts of wind and microclimate conditions on structures such as high rise buildings, resorts, healthcare facilities, bridges or stadiums. RWDI has invested over $5 million and employs approximately 30 Floridians.

Montreal’s Fruits & Passion selected South Florida to open their first fully-owned store in the U.S., selling specialty body care, fine fragrances, kitchen lifestyle, and home ambiance. Fruits & Passion invested $1 million and employs 5 Floridians at the new Aventura Mall store.

Canadian banking continues to forge strong partnerships within the state of Florida, with RBC Centura now augmenting its total number of branches throughout the state to 45; Montreal-based Desjardins Federal Savings Bank now offers service in three branches, located in Hallandale Beach, Pompano Beach and Lauderhill; while Natbank offers two branches in Hollywood and Pompano Beach. RBC employs over 200 Floridians, Desjardins employs 20, and Natbank employs 10.

June 2008

Tourism

• 2,482,000 Florida visits by Canadians, $2.6 billion spent
• 420,400 Florida visits to Canada, $288 million spent

Jobs

• Florida jobs supported by Canada–U.S. trade: 404,750

Merchandise Trade

• Exports to Canada: $3.2 billion
• Imports from Canada: $4.9 billion
• Bilateral trade: $8.1 billion

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Merchandise trade and tourism figures are from Statistics Canada, converted at the rate of US$1.00=C$1.0749. Merchandise trade is based on total exports and imports for the year 2007. Job numbers are based on 2005 data from a 2006 study commissioned by the Canadian Embassy. Canada’s export ranking is from the World Institute for Strategic Economic Research (WISER). All figures are in U.S. dollars. Figures may not add up due to rounding.