International Trade Center

Illinois Key Facts

• Illinois placed fifth among the 50 states (#1 in the Midwest) in total exports last year with over $53 billion in international shipments.
• In 2020, products from Illinois were sent to 213 countries.
• Top countries for Illinois' exports are Canada, Mexico, Germany, Australia, China, Brazil, United Kingdom and Japan.
• 90% of Illinois exporters are small- and medium-sized businesses and account for 25% of total state exports.
• Direct exports account for nearly 10% of the Gross State Product (GSP).
• Wages for workers in manufacturing and service exporting sectors, where Illinois is strongest, substantially exceed the U.S. average.
• International sales are the key to long-term business survival in today's competitive global environment. Illinois industries with significant export potential include industrial machinery, agricultural products, transportation equipment, chemicals, computers, electronic/electrical products, metals and plastics.

Illinois and USMCA

• Illinois has realized significant benefits from United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) related trade.
• Canada and Mexico are Illinois' two largest trading partners importing approximately 41% of Illinois' total exports.
• Illinois exports totaled more than $27 billion to USMCA country partners in 2021.
  • Illinois Trade Statistics (Global Edge)
  • Illinois Export Data (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)
  • 2022 Illinois Manufacturing Facts
  • Illinois in the International Marketplace  (State of Illinois)
  • Trade Between Illinois And The World (State of Illinois)
  • Illinois Exports and Jobs 2019
  • Illinois Exports by Country
  • Illinois Exports by Commodity
  • St. Louis, MO-IL Snapshot 2020
  • St. Louis, MO-IL Factsheet 2020
  • Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): Illinois