• Canada–U.S. trade supported 7.1 million U.S. jobs
• Total Canada–U.S. merchandise trade: $535 billion
• 78,000 Iowa jobs are supported by Canada–U.S. trade
• Canada is Iowa’s largest foreign export market
• Canadians made more than 99,800 visits to Iowa, spending $19 million
• Iowa residents made 116,100 visits to Canada, spending $67 million

A Close Relationship

Iowa continued to send more of its products to Canada than to any other trading partner. In 2007, trade between the two totaled $6.5 billion, an increase over the previous year. Iowa sent $3 billion in goods to its northern neighbor and imported $3.5 billion.

An energizing relationship

Canada is the U.S.’s largest and most reliable source of energy. The bulk of Iowa’s imports from Canada in 2007 was energy products. Natural gas made up most of the $1.3 billion in imports.

Agricultural connections

The Hawkeye State has strong agricultural ties to Canada. A total of $580 million in agricultural products was imported by the state last year alone. Live animals topped the list at $241 million, followed by other unmilled cereals ($115 million) and meat ($52 million). In turn, Iowa sent Canada $444 million in agricultural goods. Oil seed cake and meal exports hit $144 million in 2007; shelled corn, $49 million; and other foods and materials for food, $44 million.

Machinery moving the economy

Machinery was Iowa’s top export, with the state sending Canada $826 million in goods. New wheel tractor exports for the state accounted for $113 million. Front end loaders brought in $108 million, and construction and maintenance machinery, $69 million.

Bilateral trade in metals

As the second largest export for Iowa, metal shipments to Canada brought $486 million to the state’s economy in 2007. At the same time, the state imported $294 million in metals. This two-way trade involved steel plate, sheet and strip, as well as aluminum and alloys.

Bridges and more

The bridges of Madison County were among the many attractions that brought Canadians to Iowa in 2007. In total, Canadians made 99,800 visits to the state, spending $19 million. During the same period, residents of Iowa made 116,100 visits across the 49^th Parallel and spent $67 million.

Canada–Iowa Success Stories

Mac-Lander, Inc.

In 2007, Salford Farm Machinery from Ontario purchased Mac-Lander, Inc., a trailer manufacturer in Osceola, IA. Salford plans to add to Mac-Lander’s output and begin producing Salford tillage equipment in the United States. The newly expanded plant will employ an additional 41 people and retain the original 15 Mac-Lander employees.

Integrated agriculture

The Canada–U.S. agricultural sector is a production supply chain that benefits both producers and consumers. This supply chain creates a more efficient, competitive industry that contributes to both the Iowa and Canadian economies.

Iowa’s hog industry is a prime example. In 2007, the state imported about 4.27 million in live hogs from Canada worth $203 million. This means millions of live pigs were shipped in from Canada, and fed and processed in Iowa. Iowa pork is then sold to markets around the world, including Canada. In fact, in 2007, Canada was the number three global export market for U.S. pork with $492 million in sales. The economic value this generates in Iowa is estimated at $530 million.

June 2008

Tourism

• 99,900 Iowa visits by Canadians, $19 million spent
• 116,100 Iowa visits to Canada, $67 million spent

Jobs

• Iowa jobs supported by Canada–U.S. trade: 78,000

Merchandise Trade

• Exports to Canada: $3 billion
• Imports from Canada: $3.5 billion
• Bilateral trade: $6.5 billion
• Largest export market: Canada

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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.