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 $13 billion worth of goods in 2017. Iowa's exports also benefit many other parts of its economy as well, with international trade supporting more than 400,000 jobs in the state.

• In Iowa, 402,700 jobs (19.4%) are supported by trade, including 93,941 jobs supported by manufactured goods exports in 2016.¹
• In 2015, 3,221 companies exported goods from Iowa of which 83% were small- and medium-sized enterprises. In 2015, 56,400 people were employed by affiliates of companies at least 50% foreign-owned.²

• Iowa exported $13.2 billion in goods to foreign markets in 2017. Iowa's largest markets in 2017 were:²
  • Canada ($4 billion)
  • Mexico ($2.2 billion)
  • Japan ($1 billion)
  • China ($560 million)
  • Germany ($390 million)
• Agricultural exports are important to Iowa's' economy, totaling $10.6 billion in 2016, according to the USDA.³
• Since 2013, the U.S. Export-Import Bank has financed $139 million in exports from 31 companies in Iowa.⁴
• Since 1971, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation has invested $3 million in Iowa companies for overseas investment.⁵

• In 2015-2016, 5,670 Iowa students studied abroad.⁶
• During 2017, 12,488 international students were enrolled in Iowa colleges and universities and contributed $378 million to the Iowa economy.⁶

• Since 1961, 2,420 Peace Corps volunteers from Iowa have served in dozens of countries overseas.⁷

1. https://www.businessroundtable.org/resources/state-data#map=Benefits_of_International_Trade
2. https://www.trade.gov/mas/ian/statereports/index.asp
3. https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/state-fact-sheets.aspx#.U2ERwbQzqX8
4. http://customermap.exim.gov/index.cfm
5. https://www.opic.gov/sites/default/files/docs/OPIC_local_impact.pdf
6. https://www.iie.org/Research-and-Insights/Open-Doors/Fact-Sheets-and-Infographics/Data-by-State-Fact-Sheets
7. https://files.peacecorps.gov/documents/17_PRS_TopStates.pdf