• Canada–U.S. trade supported 7.1 million U.S. jobs
• Total Canada–U.S. merchandise trade: $535 billion
• 49,750 Nebraska jobs are supported by Canada–U.S. trade
• Canada is Nebraska’s largest foreign export market
• Canadians made more than 64,100 visits to Nebraska, spending $20 million
• Nebraska residents made 47,500 visits to Canada, spending $30 million

A Close Relationship

Nebraska and Canada’s two-way trade for 2007 totaled $2.5 billion, an increase of 34% from the previous year. In a balanced exchange of goods, Nebraska imported $1.4 billion from Canada and exported $1.1 billion. Canada continues to be the state’s largest trading partner.

Nebraska’s top exports

Nebraska’s #1 export to Canada was energy products, totaling $225 million in 2007. A close second was the machinery sector at $223 million. Combine reaper-threshers made up $80 million of these goods, and other agriculture machinery and equipment, $29 million.

Agricultural ties

The Cornhusker State purchased $544 million in agricultural goods from Canada. Live animals were the overwhelming majority of these imports at $398 million last year alone. Meat and other unmilled cereals were the next largest agricultural products imported by the state, at $57 million and $36 million. In turn, Nebraska sent $160 million in agriculture products north, including $67 million in meat.

Transportation makes the world go round

Transportation continued to be a strong export sector for the state. Motor vehicle parts (except engines) were sent to Canada as well as other motor vehicle parts, bringing the state $183 million. Likewise, Canada sent Nebraska motor vehicle parts (not including engines), as well as trucks, for a total of $84 million.

Other imports

The state sent $318 million in steel, alloys and other iron products north last year. Far behind metals, forest products were purchased, among other things, in the form of newsprint and softwood lumber (for a total of $96 million).

The heart of the homeland

The famed Lewis and Clark Trail and midwest culture attracted Canadians to Nebraska. Canadians made 64,100 visits in 2007, spending $20 million. Nebraskans made 47,500 visits across the 49^th Parallel and spent $30 million.

Canada–Nebraska Success Stories

Cabela’s

In 2007, Cabela’s, a major sporting goods retailer, announced its purchase of S.I.R. Mail Order and Warehouse Sport Store based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Earl Robinson, President of the family-run S.I.R., said the Cabela’s acquisition will provide the company with the expertise of a similar organization that will allow the company to continue to grow in Canada.

Cabela’s plans to use S.I.R.’s loyal customer base to build significant growth. It is estimated that a Cabela’s Canadian division could be worth up to $200 million annually when fully established. The Canadian Headquarters will be based at the S.I.R. location in Winnipeg.

McCain Foods Limited

McCain Foods Limited, the world’s largest producer of French fries, had a humble beginning out of a small factory in Florenceville, New Brunswick. In 1957, the Canadian plant boasted only 30 employees and produced 1,500 pounds of product an hour. Today, McCain operates 55 plants, including one in Grand Island, NE, where 400 people work and sales reached $162 million last year. Across the globe, the company employs over 20,000 people globally and its annual revenue is more than $5.6 billion.

June 2008

Tourism

• 64,100 Nebraska visits by Canadians, $20 million spent
• 47,500 Nebraska visits to Canada, $30 million spent

Jobs

• Nebraska jobs supported by Canada–U.S. trade: 49,750

Merchandise Trade

• Exports to Canada: $1.1 billion
• Imports from Canada: $1.4 billion
• Bilateral trade: $2.5 billion
• Largest export market: Canada

PDF Format

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.