No matter what’s going on in the world politically and economically, people will always need to trade  – and the US will still rely on imports and exports to regulate the flow of commodities.

In just half a decade, US trading has been shaken by, amongst other things, political upheaval and the Covid-19 pandemic. The latter affected everyone on the planet — but hit some economies, supply chains, and US states harder than others. In such conditions, firms must decide how best to weather the storm — for example, choosing between a hedging or salvaging strategy.

OnDeck recognizes that small businesses must play to their strengths and utilize the advantages that come with their locality, whatever the conditions. We used recently released data from the US Census Bureau to identify the top import and export in every US state, as well as their ‘most unique import/export’ — the one that’s traded by the fewest other states.

Image Credit: simpson33 / iStock.

Key Findings

• Petroleum is the top import into 12 states, making it the most common leading import.
• Aircraft are the most common top export, leading in 14 states.
• New York imports $21.9 billion worth of precious metals each year, the biggest import for any state.
• Texas has the biggest export commodity of any state, shipping $43.5 billion of fuel.

Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.

Top Imports & Exports

The most common ‘top import’ in America is petroleum, which is number one in 12 states. In 2020, the US became a net annual petroleum exporter for the first time in 70 years, according to the Energy Information Administration. The US produces a fraction more petroleum than it consumes but imports a significant amount (7.9 million barrels per day in 2020) to refine and then re-export and support domestic needs.

South Dakota’s top import is cow meat. The state raises more beef cattle than people but only has the capacity to butcher a small percentage of those cows each year. The situation illustrates a common import/export paradigm: “Places like South Dakota have been part of a classic colonial economy,” says Fred Kirschenmann, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University. “They export cheap raw materials and import expensive processed goods. The critical problem in these rural communities is not just adding value to farm goods, but retaining that value.”

The pandemic hit the US aerospace and defense industry hard, with exports dropping by 39% to $90 billion year on year. Despite this, aircraft remain the top export from 14 US states, making them the most common top export. Civil aerospace exports make up 84% of US aerospace exports.

South Dakota’s top export may jump out at you. The Mount Rushmore state ships $110.1 million of brewing dregs per year. Distillery dregs have a number of agricultural applications, including use as silage and fertilizer, and can also be used to treat water.

When you remove the most common ‘top exports’ and identify the exports each state shares with the fewest other states, you can see more of each region’s character. Iowa sells corn; Indiana ships trailers. Maine is one of the few states whose most unique export (lobster) is their top export even regardless of uniqueness. And this is despite lobster exports falling by $130.3 million between 2018-2020, in the wake of tariffs on trade with China and the impact of the pandemic.

Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.

The Dominance of US Imports and Exports at State Level

Petroleum (top import in 24% of US states), medicine (12%), and vehicles (12%) precede a long tail of commodities that are the most imported in only one or two states. However, the presence of airplane parts, aircraft, and light fuels near the head of the ring chart testifies to the importance of the aerospace industry to the US economy. The aerospace sector now faces radical changes due to digital transformation and climate crisis pressures.

Petroleum (top import in 24% of US states), medicine (12%), and vehicles (12%) precede a long tail of commodities that are the most imported in only one or two states. However, the presence of airplane parts, aircraft, and light fuels near the head of the ring chart testifies to the importance of the aerospace industry to the US economy. The aerospace sector now faces radical changes due to digital transformation and climate crisis pressures.

Image Credit: Ondeck.com.

U.S. Exports

From Arizona to Wisconsin, aircraft exports dominate US trade more emphatically than any import – topping 14 states altogether. Medicine and vehicles begin the long tail. Illinois may be famous for farming, motor cars, and Bill Murray, but medicine is its number one export. In fact, Illinois’ vast agricultural industry feeds directly into its medicine production. And the state is home to medical supplies giant Medline, #16 on the Forbes list of largest private companies in the US.

Image Credit: Ondeck.com.

Trade Ethics in Volatile Times

The dynamics of import/exports operate at the nexus of supply, demand, networked economies, and geopolitics. By definition, trade is a deal between what one party has that the other wants — and it is powered by the land and the people from which an export originates. In volatile times, it is telling to see which exporters foreground ethics and hold onto their principles — and in doing so, honor the state from which they operate.

Image Credit: Depositphotos.

Alabama

• Top Import: Petroleum
• Top Export: Vehicles
• Top Unique Import: Alloy Steel
• Top Unique Export: Polycarbonates

Image Credit: James Deitsch.

Alaska

• Top Import: Petroleum
• Top Export: Zinc
• Top Unique Import: Telecommunications Instruments
• Top Unique Export: Zinc

Image Credit: julof90.

Arizona

• Top Import: Aircraft
• Top Export: Aircraft
• Top Unique Import: Tomatoes
• Top Unique Export: Semiconductors

Image Credit: wanderluster.

Arkansas

• Top Import: Aircraft
• Top Export: Aircraft
• Top Unique Import: Military Projectiles
• Top Unique Export: Rice

Image Credit: Rdlamkin.

California

• Top Import: Vehicles
• Top Export: Vehicles
• Top Unique Import: Data Monitors
• Top Unique Export: Vehicles

Image Credit: mlauffen.

Colorado

• Top Import: Petroleum
• Top Export: Cow Meat
• Top Unique Import: Hearing Aids
• Top Unique Export: Machine Insulation

Image Credit: Postoak at English Wikipedia.

Connecticut

• Top Import: Silver
• Top Export: Aircraft
• Top Unique Import: Sulfa Drugs
• Top Unique Export: Propellors and Rotors

Image Credit: traveler1116.

Delaware

• Top Import: Medicine
• Top Export: Medicine
• Top Unique Import: Pineapples
• Top Unique Export: Electric Motors

Image Credit: mdgmorris.

Florida

• Top Import: Nucleic Acids
• Top Export: Aircraft
• Top Unique Import: Salmon
• Top Unique Export: Fertilizers

Image Credit: Elisa.rolle.

Georgia

• Top Import: Vehicles
• Top Export: Aircraft
• Top Unique Import: Medicine
• Top Unique Export: Clay

Image Credit: SeanPavonePhoto.

Hawaii

• Top Import: Petroleum
• Top Export: Ferrous Scrap
• Top Unique Import: Tuna
• Top Unique Export: Shrimp

Image Credit: Art Wager.

Idaho

• Top Import: Data Processing Parts
• Top Export: Semiconductors
• Top Unique Import: Resistors
• Top Unique Export: Silver

Image Credit: knowlesgallery.

Illinois

• Top Import: Telephones
• Top Export: Medicine
• Top Unique Import: Tractors
• Top Unique Export: Dump Trucks

Image Credit: ibsky.

Indiana

• Top Import: Medicine
• Top Export: Medicine
• Top Unique Import: Hormones
• Top Unique Export: Trailers

Image Credit: f11photo.

Iowa

• Top Import: Road Tractors
• Top Export: Corn
• Top Unique Import: Gelatin
• Top Unique Export: Molybdenum Ores

Image Credit: JoeChristensen.

Kansas

• Top Import: Airplane Parts
• Top Export: Aircraft
• Top Unique Import: Radio Apparatus
• Top Unique Export: Great Millet

Image Credit: Michael Pham.

Kentucky

• Top Import: Vaccines and Antibodies
• Top Export: Aircraft
• Top Unique Import: Vaccines and Antibodies
• Top Unique Export: Steering Wheels

Image Credit: Thomas Kelley.

Louisiana

• Top Import: Petroleum
• Top Export: Soybeans
• Top Unique Import: Palm Oil
• Top Unique Export: Chemical Compounds

Image Credit: DenisTangneyJr.

Maine

• Top Import: Light Oils
• Top Export: Lobster
• Top Unique Import: Lobster
• Top Unique Export: Lobster

Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.

Maryland

• Top Import: Vehicles
• Top Export: Aircraft
• Top Unique Import: Tin
• Top Unique Export: Nucleic Acids

Image Credit: James_Lane.

Massachusetts

• Top Import: Light Oils
• Top Export: Gold
• Top Unique Import: Lobster
• Top Unique Export: Pearls

Image Credit: Rolf_52.

Michigan

• Top Import: Vehicles
• Top Export: Vehicles
• Top Unique Import: Electrical Lighting
• Top Unique Export: Rear-view Mirrors

Image Credit: haveseen.

Minnesota

• Top Import: Petroleum
• Top Export: Light Oils
• Top Unique Import: Pacemakers
• Top Unique Export: Iron Ore

Image Credit: JoeChristensen.

Mississippi

• Top Import: Petroleum
• Top Export: Petroleum
• Top Unique Import: Fans
• Top Unique Export: Tools

Image Credit: stevegeer.

Missouri

• Top Import: Petroleum
• Top Export: Vehicles
• Top Unique Import: Electric Motors
• Top Unique Export: Chemical Compounds

Image Credit: eyecrave.

Montana

• Top Import: Petroleum
• Top Export: Coal
• Top Unique Import: Cigarettes
• Top Unique Export: Coal

Image Credit: YinYang.

Nebraska

• Top Import: Nucleic Acids
• Top Export: Cow Meat
• Top Unique Import: Chemical Compounds
• Top Unique Export: Syringes

Image Credit: marekuliasz.

Nevada

• Top Import: Electrical Processors
• Top Export: Gold
• Top Unique Import: Batteries
• Top Unique Export: Coin Games

Image Credit: AlizadaStudios.

New Hampshire

• Top Import: Airplane parts
• Top Export: Aircraft
• Top Unique Import: Rubber
• Top Unique Export: Radio Parts

Image Credit: DenisTangneyJr.

New Jersey

• Top Import: Medicine
• Top Export: Palladium
• Top Unique Import: Cheese
• Top Unique Export: Platinum

Image Credit: aimintang.

New Mexico

• Top Import: Data Processing Parts
• Top Export: Data Processing Parts
• Top Unique Import: Transmitters
• Top Unique Export: Petroleum

Image Credit: Davel5957.

New York

• Top Import: Precious Metal
• Top Export: Diamonds
• Top Unique Import: Diamonds
• Top Unique Export: Sculptures

Image Credit: Boogich.

North Carolina

• Top Import: Vaccines and Antibodies
• Top Export: Vaccines and Antibodies
• Top Unique Import: Hormones
• Top Unique Export: Medicine

Image Credit: ” Darwin Brandis”.

North Dakota

• Top Import: Platinum
• Top Export: Light Oils
• Top Unique Import: Rapeseed
• Top Unique Export: Rapeseed

Image Credit: sequential5.

Ohio

• Top Import: Medicine
• Top Export: Aircraft
• Top Unique Import: Medicine
• Top Unique Export: Sanitary Towels

Image Credit: dypics.

Oklahoma

• Top Import: Petroleum
• Top Export: Aircraft
• Top Unique Import: Metal Residue
• Top Unique Export: Vehicles

Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.

Oregon

• Top Import: Semiconductor Machines
• Top Export: Electrical Processors
• Top Unique Import: Alloy Steel
• Top Unique Export: Potassium Chloride

Image Credit: HaizhanZheng.

Pennsylvania

• Top Import: Medicine
• Top Export: Medicine
• Top Unique Import: Vaccines
• Top Unique Export: Diesel Trains

Image Credit: AppalachianViews.

Rhode Island

• Top Import: Vehicles
• Top Export: Precious Metal
• Top Unique Import: Vehicles
• Top Unique Export: Vaccines and Antibodies

Image Credit: danlogan.

South Carolina

• Top Import: Uranium
• Top Export: Aircraft
• Top Unique Import: Tractor Cabs
• Top Unique Export: Vehicles

Image Credit: SeanPavonePhoto.

South Dakota

• Top Import: Cow Meat
• Top Export: Brewing Dregs
• Top Unique Import: Cow Meat
• Top Unique Export: Pig Meat

Image Credit: RiverNorthPhotography.

Tennessee

• Top Import: Medicine
• Top Export: Surgical Instruments
• Top Unique Import: Data-Processing Machines
• Top Unique Export: Catgut Suture

Image Credit: Swarmcatcher.

Texas

• Top Import: Petroleum
• Top Export: Petroleum
• Top Unique Import: Human Blood
• Top Unique Export: Acyclic Ethers

Image Credit: DenisTangneyJr.

Utah

• Top Import: Gold
• Top Export: Gold
• Top Unique Import: Cutting Machines
• Top Unique Export: Safety Airbags

Image Credit: ” 4kodiak”.

Vermont

• Top Import: Electrical Energy
• Top Export: Electronic Circuits
• Top Unique Import: Chocolate
• Top Unique Export: Machine Parts

Image Credit: DenisTangneyJr.

Virginia

• Top Import: Printer Parts
• Top Export: Coal
• Top Unique Import: Waters
• Top Unique Export: Nonwovens

Image Credit: DenisTangneyJr.

Washington

• Top Import: Vehicles
• Top Export: Aircraft
• Top Unique Import: Metal Furniture
• Top Unique Export: Soybean Flours

Image Credit: 4nadia.

West Virginia

• Top Import: Airplane parts
• Top Export: Coal
• Top Unique Import: Cutting Machines
• Top Unique Export: Polyethers

Image Credit: istockphoto.

Wisconsin

• Top Import: Vaccines
• Top Export: Aircraft
• Top Unique Import: Aircraft Engines
• Top Unique Export: Marine Vehicle Engines

Image Credit: FierceAbin.

Wyoming

• Top Import: Petroleum
• Top Export: Disodium Carbonate
• Top Unique Import: Ammonium Nitrate
• Top Unique Export: Rare Gases

Image Credit: AnujSahaiPhotography.

Methodology

The data for each US state is based on official US international trade data for 2020. We cleaned the data by renaming the complex trade descriptions into simpler terms.

The top import and export products for each state were identified by (1) ranking them based on monetary value, (2) ordering the data in descending order, and (3) selecting the top entry for each state.

The most unique import and export products per state were identified by (1) counting how many times a product was cited/listed across states, (2) grouping the data per state and ordering the data in ascending order, and (3) selecting the top entry per state.

For the ring charts, the percentage of each product was calculated by dividing the number of states with the product listed as their top export/import per the number of states.

The data was collected in January 2022.

This article originally appeared on OnDeck.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

Image Credit: Chaay_Tee/istockphoto.

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