Home Trade and Investment State Trade Fact Sheets 2005 Alabama

Alabama

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• 72,000 Alabama jobs are supported by Canada-U.S. trade
• Total Canada–U.S. merchandise trade: $411 billion
• Canada–U.S. trade supported 5.2 million U.S. jobs
• Canada and Alabama traded a daily average of $8.6 million in goods

First things first…
The Canada–Alabama trade relationship remained strong in 2004, with bilateral trade totaling $3.1 billion. Canada was the leading market for Alabamian goods, purchasing 20% of the state’s foreign-bound exports. In return, Alabama imported $1.4 billion worth of Canadian products — $171 million more than they did the previous year. The overall increase in cross-border exchange amounted to a growth in revenue of $453 million from 2003.

Zooming ahead…
Transportation goods maintained a strong lead as the largest bilateral trade sector in 2004, generating a total of $846 million in revenue for Canada and Alabama. $552 million in Alabamian transportation goods headed north of the border, providing Canada with $285 million in motor vehicle parts (excluding engines) and $126 million in automobiles. In turn, the state imported $294 million worth of transportation goods from Canada, including $197 million in motor vehicle parts (excluding engines) and $36 million in trucks. Growth in the transportation sector contributed an additional $88 million to Canada– Alabama trade.

Metals motivated the market…
Metals represented Alabama’s second largest export sector, with sales of $275 million to Canada in 2004. Of these exports, the state sold its northern neighbor $124 million worth of aluminum (including alloys) and $64 million worth of steel (plate, sheet and strip). Canada reciprocated by sending $119 million in metals south, including $37 million in basic metals products and $27 million in steel (plate, sheet, and strip). In addition, Canada supplied Alabama with the means to process its metals resources, selling the state $64 million in metalworking machinery and $18 million in mining machinery in 2004.

Creature comforts…
Equipment sales benefitted both Canada and Alabama as they generated $331 million in cross-border trade. The state kept its northern neighbor cool and comfortable with $12 million worth of air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. In return, Canada illuminated Alabama with $28 million in electrical lighting equipment.

Sweet home Alabama…
The state’s southern charm and hospitality enticed Canadians to make 36,900 visits to Alabama, where they spent $9 million. In turn, Alabamians headed north, making 54,900 visits to Canada and pumping $30 million into the Canadian economy.

Alabama's Leading Exports to Canada
2004, in millions of U.S. dollars

• Motor vehicle parts, not including engines ($285)
• Automobiles ($126)
• Organic chemicals ($125)
• Aluminum, including alloys ($124)
• Steel plate, sheet & strip ($64)
• Paper & paperboard ($61)
• Televisions & radio sets ($41)
• Coated or impregnated fabrics ($37)
• Computers ($25)
• Meat ($24)

Alabama's Leading Imports from Canada
2004, in millions of U.S. dollars

• Motor vehicle parts, not including engines ($197)
• Softwood lumber ($129)
• Metalworking machinery ($64)
• Wood pulp ($51)
• Yarn, thread, cordage, twine & rope ($45)
• Crude petroleum ($44)
• Basic metal products ($37)
• Trucks ($36)
• Synthetic rubber & plastics ($31)
• Firearms & ammunition ($30)

Canada-Alabama Success Stories

Canada–Alabama Success Stories Canadian auto parts companies continue to expand in Alabama to serve the growing automotive industry in the state. A few examples of this trend include: Matsu (metal stamping and welding), based in Huntsville; Mitchell Plastics (plastic injection molding), based in Birmingham; and Decoma (exterior components), part of the Magna group of companies.

Alabama-Canada Facts at a Glance:

• State jobs supported by Canada–U.S. trade: 72,000

August 2005

For more information on Canada's trade with Alabama, please contact:
Consulate General of Canada
1175 Peachtree Street, NE
100 Colony Square, Suite 1700
Atlanta, GA 30361-6205
Phone: (404) 532-2000   •   Fax: (404) 532-2050
www.atlanta.gc.ca

Sources: Merchandise trade and tourism figures are from Statistics Canada, converted at the rate of US$1.00=C$1.3015. Job numbers are based on 2001 data from a 2003 study by Trade Partnership Worldwide 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.

• Read the 2004 state trade figures
• Read the 2003 state trade figures
• Read the 2002 state trade figures