• Canada–U.S. trade supported 7.1 million U.S. jobs
• Total Canada–U.S. merchandise trade: $535 billion
• 208,500 North Carolina jobs are supported by Canada–U.S. trade
• Canada is North Carolina’s largest foreign export market
• Canadians made more than 412,000 visits to North Carolina, spending $94 million
• North Carolina residents made 157,700 visits to Canada, spending $94 million

A Close Relationship

In 2007, trade between North Carolina and Canada continued to grow, reaching a record total of $8.6 billion. Canada remained the state’s largest international destination, purchasing more of the state’s exports than the next three largest trading partners (Japan, China and Mexico) combined.

Transportation products represented North Carolina’s largest export sector to Canada in 2007, with the Tar Heel state selling $814 million worth. Personal and household goods accounted for another $620 million in state exports; with sales of equipment, machinery and chemicals, North Carolina’s other leading export sectors. Personal and household goods, including medicine, medical devices and printed materials was the state’s leading import sector from Canada.

Bilateral trade in personal and household goods totaled $1.3 billion in 2007. Canadian consumers purchased $107 million from the state’s famed furniture industry, filling their homes with North Carolina goods. In turn, North Carolinians bought over $68 million in printed materials, toys, games and clothing among other household goods from Canada.

Canada–North Carolina Success Stories

Purolator USA, the small–package and freight forwarding subsidiary of Canada’s largest integrated distribution services company, opened its southeastern processing facility in Morrisville, NC. The new facility includes almost 8,000 square feet, and is in close proximity to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The fully functional distribution center offers on-the-spot consolidation services, which often means reduced delivery times. This is a key advantage over many competitors, who divert goods to locations hundreds of miles away for consolidation.

In December 2007, the Piedmont Triad Wet Lab LaunchPad officially opened. Stantec, an Edmonton, Alberta–based architecture and engineering firm, led this initiative, sourcing $740,000 in donated labor, materials, equipment and funds.  The Wet Lab LaunchPad will provide low–cost laboratory space for new biotech and life science firms in the Piedmont Triad Research Park, with 12–month rotations.

Technology Crops International, a plant biotech company based in Winston–Salem, NC, set up a New Brunswick subsidiary, Natures Crops International. Natures Crops International contracts high value oilseed crops with New Brunswick.

MQ Windows, a Quebec company, opened a new showroom at East Coast Window and Door in Mooresville, NC in October 2007. MQ’s presence in the Carolinas began with a Custom Builders USA event organized by Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corp. and the Canadian Consulate in Raleigh less than two years ago. 

A wide variety of Canadian food products are finding success in restaurants and specialty food stores in the Carolinas.  Seafood (Dockside Appetizers), pasta & sauces (Solo Mio), chicken (SunChef), maple syrups (Mopure) and snacks (La Petite Bretonne) are all proving a delight to local taste buds.

June 2008

Tourism

• 412,000 North Carolina visits by Canadians, $94 million spent
• 157,00 North Carolina visits to Canada, $94 million spent

Jobs

• North Carolina jobs supported by Canada–U.S. trade:208,500

Merchandise Trade

• Exports to Canada: $4.3 billion
• Imports from Canada: $4.3 billion
• Bilateral trade: $8.6 billion
• Largest export market: Canada

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North Carolina

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.