Idaho’s processed foods led the state’s exports in 2023, generating $833 million dollars. Strong ties to Asian economies are also driving export growth in Idaho, with international trade supporting more than 203,000 jobs in the state.

• In Idaho, 203,500 jobs were supported by international trade in 2019, representing 19.0% of all jobs in the state.^1,2
• In 2020, 1,690 companies exported goods from Idaho of which 85% were small- and medium-sized enterprises. In 2018, 20,500 people were employed by affiliates of companies at least 50% foreign-owned.^3,4

• Idaho exported $4.0 billion in goods to foreign markets in 2023. Idaho’s largest markets were:⁵
  • Canada ($1.5 billion)
  • Taiwan ($504 million)
  • Mexico ($284 million)
  • Japan ($237 million)
  • Singapore ($208 million)
• Agricultural exports are important to Idaho's' economy, totaling $2.9 billion in 2020, according to the USDA.⁶
• Since 2014, the U.S. Export-Import Bank has financed $139 million in exports from 24 companies in Idaho.⁷
• Since 1992, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency has helped facilitate $69 million in exports from Idaho companies.⁹

• During 2020, 3,263 international students were enrolled in Idaho colleges and universities and contributed $68 million to the Idaho economy.¹⁰

• Since 1961, 1,481 Peace Corps volunteers from Idaho have served in dozens of countries overseas.¹¹

1. https://tradepartnership.com/reports/trade-and-american-jobs-the-impact-of-trade-on-u-s-and-state-level-employment-update-2020/
2. https://www.businessroundtable.org/policy-perspectives/trade-international/benefits-of-trade-data
3. https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/Press-Release/edb/2019/index.html
4. https://www.bea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-11/imne1120.pdf
5. https://www.trade.gov/data-visualization/state-economy-and-trade-factsheets
6. https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/state-fact-sheets.aspx#.U2ERwbQzqX8
7. https://www.exim.gov/customer-map/
8. https://www.opic.gov/sites/default/files/docs/OPIC_local_impact.pdf
9. https://ustda.gov/ustda-success-by-state/
10. https://opendoorsdata.org/fact_sheets/
11. https://www.peacecorps.gov/news/library/peace-corps-announces-top-volunteer-producing-states-2018/