Last year, Arkansas exported $5.9 billion in goods, with international trade supporting more than 313,000 jobs in the state. As the headquarters for WalMart, Inc., Arkansas has seen firsthand how engagement in the global economy can drive growth and create jobs.

Job Creation

  • In Arkansas, 313,100 jobs were supported by international trade in 2019, representing 18.7% of all jobs in the state.1,2
  • In 2020, 2,168 companies exported goods from Arkansas of which 77% were small- and medium-sized enterprises. In 2018, 47,400 people were employed by affiliates of companies at least 50% foreign-owned.3,4

Exports and Growth

  • Arkansas exported $5.6 billion in goods to foreign markets in 2021, an 8% increase compared to 2020 driven by continued economic recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy.5
    • Canada ($1.4 billion)
    • Mexico ($1 billion)
    • China ($375 million)
    • United Kingdom ($246 million)
    • Netherlands ($211 million)
  • Agricultural exports are important to Arkansas's' economy, totaling $3.8 billion in 2020, according to the USDA.6
  • Since 2014, the U.S. Export-Import Bank has financed $347 million in exports from 30 companies in Arkansas.7

Education and Research

  • During 2020, 4,579 international students were enrolled in Arkansas colleges and universities and contributed $110 million to the Arkansas economy.10

Global Engagement

  • Since 1961, 1,026 Peace Corps volunteers from Arkansas have served in dozens of countries overseas.11