Oklahoma’s manufactured goods are in demand across the world, from Japan to Mexico to Singapore. The state exported a total of $6.1 billion worth of goods in 2018, which helped support more than 400,000 Oklahoma jobs.
Job Creation
In Oklahoma, 403,500 jobs were supported by international trade in 2017, representing 17.5% of all jobs in the state.1,2
In 2016, 2,993 companies exported goods from Oklahoma of which 84% were small- and medium-sized enterprises. In 2016, 51,800 people were employed by affiliates of companies at least 50% foreign-owned.2,3
Exports and Growth
Oklahoma exported $6.1 billion in goods to foreign markets in 2018. Oklahoma's largest markets in 2018 were:4
Canada ($1.6 billion)
Mexico ($783 million)
Germany ($612 million)
Japan ($296 million)
Netherlands ($246 million)
Agricultural exports are important to Oklahoma's' economy, totaling $1.8 billion in 2017, according to the USDA.5
Since 2014, the U.S. Export-Import Bank has financed $518 million in exports from 51 companies in Oklahoma.6
Since 1971, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation has invested $732 million in Oklahoma companies for overseas investment.7
Since 1992, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency has helped facilitate $52 million in exports from Oklahoma companies, supporting an estimated 300 jobs in the state.8
Education and Research
In 2016-2017, 2,980 Oklahoma students studied abroad.9
During 2018, 8,945 international students were enrolled in Oklahoma colleges and universities and contributed $286 million to the Oklahoma economy.9
Global Engagement
Since 1961, 1,416 Peace Corps volunteers from Oklahoma have served in dozens of countries overseas.10