Missouri’s machinery, chemicals, and food industries all benefit from international engagement. In 2021, Missouri exported $15.5 billion worth of goods to foreign markets, benefiting nearly 6,000 Missouri companies -- of which 85% are small-and medium-sized businesses. Overall, international trade supports nearly 756,000 jobs in the state.

• In Missouri, 755,700 jobs were supported by international trade in 2019, representing 19.8% of all jobs in the state.^1,2
• In 2020, 5,989 companies exported goods from Missouri of which 85% were small- and medium-sized enterprises. In 2018, 135,700 people were employed by affiliates of companies at least 50% foreign-owned.^3,4

• Missouri exported $15.5 billion in goods to foreign markets in 2021, a 21% increase compared to 2020 driven by continued economic recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy.⁵
  • Canada ($5.2 billion)
  • Mexico ($3.3 billion)
  • China ($698 million)
  • Germany ($679 million)
  • Japan ($479 million)
• Agricultural exports are important to Missouri's' economy, totaling $4.5 billion in 2020, according to the USDA.⁶
• Since 2014, the U.S. Export-Import Bank has financed $1 billion in exports from 82 companies in Missouri.⁷
• Since 1971, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation - which has been modernized into the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) - has invested $362 million in Missouri companies for overseas investment.⁸
• Since 1992, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency has helped facilitate $230 million in exports from Missouri companies.⁹

• In 2018-2019, 5,959 Missouri students studied abroad.¹⁰
• During 2020, 20,140 international students were enrolled in Missouri colleges and universities and contributed $601 million to the Missouri economy.¹⁰

• Since 1961, 3,593 Peace Corps volunteers from Missouri 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/