Iowa has long been the heart of America’s food production, and continues to grow its role as a producer for the world, exporting over $14 billion worth of goods in 2018. Iowa's exports also benefit many other parts of its economy as well, with international trade supporting more than 430,000 jobs in the state.

• In Iowa, 432,600 jobs were supported by international trade in 2017, representing 20.9% of all jobs in the state.^1,2
• In 2016, 3,163 companies exported goods from Iowa of which 83% were small- and medium-sized enterprises. In 2016, 60,300 people were employed by affiliates of companies at least 50% foreign-owned.^2,3

• Iowa exported $14.3 billion in goods to foreign markets in 2018. Iowa's largest markets in 2018 were:⁴
  • Canada ($4.2 billion)
  • Mexico ($2.3 billion)
  • Japan ($964 million)
  • China ($626 million)
  • Germany ($456 million)
• Agricultural exports are important to Iowa's' economy, totaling $10.3 billion in 2017, according to the USDA.⁵
• Since 2014, the U.S. Export-Import Bank has financed $120 million in exports from 29 companies in Iowa.⁶
• Since 1971, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation has invested $3 million in Iowa companies for overseas investment.⁷
• Since 1992, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency has helped facilitate $156 million in exports from Iowa companies, supporting an estimated 850 jobs in the state.⁸

• In 2016-2017, 5,904 Iowa students studied abroad.⁹
• During 2018, 13,362 international students were enrolled in Iowa colleges and universities and contributed $438 million to the Iowa economy.⁹

• Since 1961, 2,496 Peace Corps volunteers from Iowa have served in dozens of countries overseas.¹⁰

1. https://tradepartnership.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Trade-and-American-2019-FINAL.pdf
2. https://www.businessroundtable.org/benefits-of-trade-data
3. https://ustr.gov/map/state-benefits/al
4. https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/statistics/state/data/al.html
5. https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/state-fact-sheets.aspx#.U2ERwbQzqX8
6. https://customermap.exim.gov/index.cfm
7. https://www.opic.gov/sites/default/files/docs/OPIC_local_impact.pdf
8. https://ustda.gov/ustda-success-state
9. https://www.iie.org/Research-and-Insights/Open-Doors/Fact-Sheets-and-Infographics/Data-by-State-Fact-Sheets
10. https://www.peacecorps.gov/news/library/peace-corps-announces-top-volunteer-producing-states-2018/