Home Trade and Investment State Trade Fact Sheets 2006 Iowa

Iowa

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• Canada–U.S. trade supported 5.2 million U.S. jobs
• Total Canada–U.S. merchandise trade: $461 billion
• Canada–Iowa trade supported 55,000 U.S. jobs
• Canadians made more than 92,800 visits to Iowa, spending $19 million
• Iowa residents made 108,800 visits to Canada, spending $67 million

Filling up the tank
The energy sector generated the largest volume of bilateral sales, totaling $1.5 billion, up 25% from 2004. Iowa imported $1.4 billion worth of clean burning natural gas from its northern neighbor and $24 million in petroleum and coal products. Iowa provided Canada with $2 million in lubricating oils and greases.

Mighty machines
Iowa's leading export sector was machinery as befitting a state well-known for its agricultural and industrial machines. Iowa delivered $660 million in heavy machinery to Canada, including large sales of new wheel tractors ($87 million) and front end loaders ($81 million). The Hawkeye State also imported $195 million in machines from Canada, with a top purchase of materials handling machines and equipment (includes winches, jacks, hoists, cranes derricks and others) valued at $31 million.

Trade built to last with metals
Iowa's second largest export sector was metals, which grew at a sharp rate of 30% in 2004 reaching $422 million. The Hawkeye State supplied Canada with $210 million worth of steel plate, sheet and strip and $66 million in iron and steel pipes and tubes. Canada sent a total of $250 million in metal goods across the 49th Parallel.

The roots of growth
The agriculture sector generated $712 million in revenue for the partners. Iowa bought $404 million worth of agriculture products from its northern neighbor; including $185 million in live animals, which were bound for Iowa feedlots and meatpacking plants. In return, Canadians bought $308 million in foods and crops from Iowa's agriculture heartland, including $59 million in oil seed cake and meal.

Hawkeye hospitality
From historic sites to the bridges of Madison County or retracing the footsteps of Lewis and Clark, Canadians made 92,800 visits to Iowa in 2005 and spent $19 million. Iowans also traveled northward, making 108,800 visits and spending $67 million in Canada.

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

• Steel plate, sheet & strip ($210)
• Motor vehicle parts* ($148)
• Air conditioning & refrigeration equipment ($97)
• New wheel tractors ($87)
• Front end loaders ($81)
• Iron & steel pipes & tubes ($66)
• Oil seed cake & meal ($59)
• Tractor engines & tractor parts ($52)
• Meat ($50)
• Power shovels ($47)

*not including engines

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

• Natural gas ($1,431)
• Live animals ($185)
• Newsprint ($87)
• Steel plate, sheet & strip ($86)
• Fertilizers ($75)
• Motor vehicle parts* ($72)
• Aluminum, including alloys ($68)
• Softwood lumber ($66)
• Medical, ophthalmic & orthopaedic supplies ($65)
• Synthetic rubber & plastics ($60)

*not including engines

Canada-Iowa Success Stories

What do Belle Plaine, Montezuma, Traer, Victor and Williamsburg have in common? All are cities in Iowa where Magna International, a major Canadian auto parts manufacturer, has opened production facilities. Magna's investment in Iowa has created well paying jobs for Iowans, contributed to the economic well being of the communities and reinforced Canada as Iowa's primary trading partner.

The Canada - US agricultural sector has become much more integrated with the passage of NAFTA. Iowa's hog industry is a prime example. In 2005, the state imported about 3.1 million in live hogs from Canada worth $161 million. This means millions of weaner, feeder and slaughter pigs are shipped in from Canada, fed and processed in Iowa. Pork is then sold to markets around the world, including Canada where Iowa sent $60 million worth of pork. The result is a more efficient, competitive North American industry that benefits both the Iowa and Canadian economies.

Iowa-Canada Facts at a Glance:

• State jobs supported by Canada–U.S. trade: 55,000

July 2006

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

Consulate General of Canada
701 Fourth Avenue South, Suite 900
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Phone: (612) 333-4641   •   Fax: (612) 332-4061
www.minneapolis.gc.ca

Consulate General of Canada
180 N. Stetson Avenue, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60601-6714
Phone: (312) 616-1860   •   Fax: (312) 616-1878
www.chicago.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