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Idaho_2002

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In 1989, the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement went into effect, phasing out all tariffs and many non-tariff barriers to trade. Beginning in 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) opened the Mexican market to Canada and the United States. Evidence of the benefits of free trade are clear as two-way trade in goods, services and income between Canada and the United States totalled $445 billion in 2001, the largest bilateral exchange in the world.

Canada was Idaho's second largest export destination in 2001. The Gem State sold $352 million worth of goods to its northern neighbor, accounting for 17% of the state's total exports. Idaho imported $452 million worth of goods, bringing the bilateral trade to $804 million. The mutually beneficial trade provided vital products and supported thousands of jobs on both sides of the border.

Idaho's fertile fields supply Canada. Agricultural products were Idaho's largest export sector to Canada in 2001, accounting for nearly a quarter of the state's exports and totaling $84 million. Sales included $11 million worth of live animals and $7 million worth of dairy produce, eggs and honey. The state's thriving rivers, lakes, and hatcheries produced $2 million worth of fish and marine animal exports.

Canada and Idaho have chemistry... Worth $68 million, chemicals comprised the state's second largest export to Canada in 2001. Main sales included $48 million worth of fertilizers and fertilizer materials, $14 million in inorganic chemicals, and $1 million in organic chemicals.

The state exports high-tech products. Computers were Idaho's second largest individual export to Canada, exceeding $33 million. Other telecommunications exports included $20 million worth of electronic tubes and semi-conductors.

Canada purchases Idaho's household goods. The state sells a variety of household goods including $5 million worth of house furnishings and $1 million in sporting and recreation equipment. Exports in this sector totaled $33 million.

Canadian forests provide Idaho with paper and wood. Forest products comprised Idaho's largest import sector from Canada, totaling $178 million. Leading the figures was $106 million worth of softwood lumber, Canada's largest individual export to Idaho. Other products included $11 million worth of wood pulp and $9 million in newsprint. These essential products helped to keep costs low in other sectors of Idaho's economy.

Agriculture sows the seeds of bilateral trade... Totaling $64 million and comprising nearly 15% of Canada's total sales to Idaho, agricultural products formed a basis of trade. Idaho imported a variety of products including $30 million worth of live animals, $6 million in vegetables, and $5 million worth of seeds for sowing.

Transportation drives up revenues... Canada supplied Idaho with $44 million worth of transportation equipment in 2001, an increase of 57% from the previous year. Main sales included $18 million in trucks and $15 million worth of other motor vehicles.

Tourism adds millions to the exchange... Residents of Idaho visited Canada nearly 273,000 times in 2001 and spent close to $37 million. Canadians made over 448,000 visits to Idaho and spent nearly $24 million.

July 2002

For more information on Canada's trade with Idaho, please contact:
Consulate General of Canada
412 Plaza 600, Sixth & Stewart Street
Seattle, WA 98101-1286
Tel: (206) 443-1777
Fax: (206) 443-9662
www.seattle.gc.ca

All figures are in U.S. dollars. Merchandise trade and tourism figures are from Statistics Canada, converted at the rate of US$1.00=C$1.5484. Canada's export ranking is from the Massachusetts Institute for Social and Economic Research (MISER). Figures may not add up due to rounding.