Kansas’s transportation, manufacturing, and food products are in increasing demand throughout the world. In 2020, the state exported over $10 billion worth of goods, with international trade supporting more than 390,000 jobs in across the state.
Job Creation
In Kansas, 395,500 jobs were supported by international trade in 2018, representing 20.40% of all jobs in the state.1,2
In 2019, 3,354 companies exported goods from Kansas of which 82% were small- and medium-sized enterprises. In 2018, 69,300 people were employed by affiliates of companies at least 50% foreign-owned.3,4
Exports and Growth
Kansas exported $10.4 billion in goods to foreign markets in 2020, a 10% decline compared to 2019 driven by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy.5
Mexico ($2.1 billion)
Canada ($1.6 billion)
Japan ($911 billion)
China ($737 million)
South Korea ($422 million)
Agricultural exports are important to Kansas's' economy, totaling $4.9 billion in 2019, according to the USDA.6
Since 2014, the U.S. Export-Import Bank has financed $944 million in exports from 54 companies in Kansas.7
Since 1971, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation - which has been modernized into the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) - has invested $303 million in Kansas companies for overseas investment.8
Since 1992, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency has helped facilitate $950 million in exports from Kansas companies, supporting an estimated 5,400 jobs in the state.9
Education and Research
In 2018-2019, 2,855 Kansas students studied abroad.10
During 2020, 8,911 international students were enrolled in Kansas colleges and universities and contributed $250 million to the Kansas economy.10
Global Engagement
Since 1961, 1,857 Peace Corps volunteers from Kansas have served in dozens of countries overseas.11