Home Trade and Investment State Trade Fact Sheets 2006 Alabama

Alabama

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• Canada–U.S. trade supported 5.2 million U.S. jobs
• Total Canada–U.S. merchandise trade: $461 billion
• Canada–Alabama trade supported 72,000 U.S. jobs
• Canadians made more than 50,400 visits to Alabama, spending $18 million
• Alabama residents made more than 50,400 visits to Canada, spending $25 million

Maintaining current trends
Alabama continued its strategic partnership with Canada in 2005, led by sales on both side of the border from the transportation sector. Alabama exported $2.2 billion in merchandise to Canada, an increase of 22% from the previous year, and imported $1.5 billion worth. More importantly, Canada was Alabama's principal export market. The Yellowhammer State's exports to its northern NAFTA partner exceeded sales to its next largest foreign destination by half a billion dollars.

Revolving relationship
Bilateral trade in transportation products — Alabama's principal import and export sectors — exemplifies the integrated Canada–U.S. marketplace. Companies in Alabama and Canada make automobiles and trucks together, contributing to various stages of motor vehicle production with many parts crossing the border multiple times. Transportation products dominated the exchange in 2005. Alabama's exports to Canada amounted to $978 million, representing 44% of its total sales; and its transportation purchases amounted to $418 million or 28% of its total imports.

In 2005, Canada and Alabama exchanged almost $4 million in transportation products each day. The state's leading export was $516 million in automobiles, followed by $301 million in motor vehicle parts (excluding engines). The state puchased motor vehicle parts (excluding engines) worth $255 million and trucks worth $58 million. The integrated marketplace in transportation goods coupled with "just in time" inventories benefitted consumers and provided jobs on both sides of the border.

Lumber liquidity
Alabama imported $263 million in Canadian forest products, slightly less than in the previous year. Softwood lumber purchases, used in construction, furniture-making and millwork was the sector's largest import commodity totaling $130 million, followed by wood pulp valued at $47 million and newsprint worth $19 million. In return the state supplied its northern neighbor with $73 million in forest products led by $56 million in paper and paperboard, used for all types of paper and packaging.

Let's visit
The Deep South had plenty of attractions for their northern neighbor, which generated 50,400 visits. From the Rosa Parks Library and Museum to the USS Alabama and Huntsville Space and Rocket Center, Canadians spent $18 million touring the Gulf state. Alabamians made a similar number of visits to Canada, spending $25 million touring above the 49th Parallel.

Alabama's Leading Exports to Canada
2005, in millions of U.S. dollars

• Automobiles ($516)
• Motor vehicle parts* ($301)
• Organic chemicals ($131)
• Aluminum, including alloys ($97)
• Steel plate, sheet & strip ($61)
• Paper & paperboard ($56)
• Televisions, radios & personal electronics ($48)
• Coated or impregnated fabrics ($30)
• Iron & steel pipes & tubes ($28)
• Unshaped plastics ($28)

*not including engines

Alabama's Leading Imports from Canada
2005, in millions of U.S. dollars

• Motor vehicle parts* ($255)
• Softwood lumber ($130)
• Trucks ($58)
• Yarn, thread, cordage, twine & rope ($52)
• Wood pulp ($47)
• Steel plate, sheet & strip ($44)
• Metal fabricated basic products ($42)
• Synthetic rubber & plastics ($39)
• Firearms & ammunition ($34)
• Containers ($24)

*not including engines

Canada-Alabama Success Stories

Much of coastal Alabama was devastated in the aftermath of Hurricanes Dennis and Katrina in the summer of 2005. Post-disaster housing from DuraKit Inc., based in Bradford, Ontario, provided shelter for scores of displaced Alabama families.

Canadian auto parts companies — such as Matsu (metal stamping and welding), Mitchell Plastics (injection molding), and Decoma (exterior components) — continue to expand in Alabama to serve the state's growing automotive industry.

Alabama-Canada Facts at a Glance:

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

July 2006

For more information on Canada's trade with Alabama, please contact:

Consulate General of Canada
1175 Peachtree Street, N.E.
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$1.2116. Merchandise trade data is customs-based for the year 2005. 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 2005 state trade figures
• Read the 2004 state trade figures
• Read the 2003 state trade figures
• Read the 2002 state trade figures