• Canada–U.S. trade supported 7.1 million U.S. jobs
• Total Canada–U.S. merchandise trade: $535 billion
• 21,500 South Dakota jobs are supported by Canada–U.S. trade
• Canada is South Dakota’s largest foreign export market
• Canadians made more than 151,500 visits to South Dakota, spending $33 million
• South Dakota residents made 18,800 visits to Canada, spending $10 million

A Close Relationship

South Dakota and Canada’s two-way trade for 2007 totaled more than $1 billion, increasing 14% from the previous year. Overall, the state sent $553 million in goods to its northern neighbor, and imported $472 million worth. South Dakota sent more of its products to Canada than to any other trading partner.

Agricultural connections

The Mount Rushmore State’s top exports to Canada were agricultural products. Not surprisingly for a state where agriculture is the cornerstone of the economy, exports of meat to Canada ranked as number one ($127 million out of $173 million in total agricultural exports). Likewise, agriculture was the top import sector from Canada. In 2007, South Dakota imported $134 million in agricultural products; of this, live animals totaled $126 million.

Bilateral trade in machinery

Machinery products were essential in the partners’ trading relationship, making up the second largest export sector for South Dakota at $86 million. Front end loaders, and mining, oil and gas machinery topped the list of these products. Canada sent $64 million worth south in the form of metalworking machinery, mining machinery and other agriculture machinery and equipment.

Chemical imports

Feeding its agricultural roots, South Dakota imported $100 million in chemicals from Canada. Fertilizers accounted for $72 million, and synthetic rubber and plastics totaled $14 million.

Trading in tech

Canada remained a strong export market for South Dakota’s telecommunications industry. In 2007, $59 million in telecom products was sent across the international border (computer exports were $33 million of this trade).

International attractions

Tourist sites like Mount Rushmore, Deadwood, and the Black Hills helped bring Canadians to South Dakota. In 2007, Canadians made 151,500 visits to the state, spending $33 million.

Canada–South Dakota Success Stories

Canada Pacific and DM&E

Canada Pacific acquired the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad Corp in September 2007. The DM&E is headquartered in Sioux Falls, SD and has approximately 1,000 employees, 2,500 miles of track, and rolling stock that includes 7,200 rail cars and 150 locomotives. It serves the eight states of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming, with access to Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul, and Kansas City as well as to key ports. Canada Pacific owns or jointly operates more than 13,000 miles of track in Canada and the U.S.

International Legislators Forum

State Legislators from South Dakota participate in an annual international Legislators Forum in the Upper Midwest. The participants—state and provincial elected officials from Manitoba, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota — exchange information and discuss issues of regional importance. These leaders understand that many public policy questions do not respect jurisdictional boundaries and that working together, across boundaries, brings greater success to pressing regional challenges.

June 2008

Tourism

• 151,500 South Dakota visits by Canadians, $33 million spent
• 18,800 South Dakota visits to Canada, $10 million spent

Jobs

• South Dakota jobs supported by Canada–U.S. trade: 21,500

Merchandise Trade

• Exports to Canada: $553 million
• Imports from Canada: $472 million
• Bilateral trade: $1 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.