Top Destinations For Washington State Exports

by Hans D. Stroo on September 17, 2014

Washington has the most trade dependent economy of any state. Exports accounted for more than 30% of new jobs created in the state over the past 30 years. 

Values on the maps and lists below come from the US Census Bureau USA Trade data tool. All data reflects total value of goods exported for which Washington State was the point of production: January 1st – July 31st, 2014. In these first seven months of 2014, foreign markets imported $50.7 billion worth of goods produced in Washington State.

1. China Leads the Way 

China is by far the single largest consumer of exports from Washington State. So far in 2014, China consumed $10 billion of Washington goods. Chinese markets received 20 percent of the total exports generated by Washington ($50 billion). The aerospace industry produced 53 percent of Washington goods bought by China.

WASHINGTON #1 IN TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA

Washington State ranked #1 among all states for total value of goods exported to China – about $10 billion! Since Washington ranks 13th for populations size, our performance for per capita exports to China is even more impressive.

As a region, Asia is the dominant destination for Washington exports:

  1. Asia, $28.7 billion, 56.7 percent
  2. Europe, $10 billion, 19.7 percent
  3. North America, $7.2 billion, 14.2 percent
  4. South/Central America $2.3 billion, 4.5 percent
  5. Africa, $1.33 billion, 2.6 percent
  6. Oceania, $1.15 billion, 2.2 percent

2. WASHINGTON SELLS IN EUROPE TOO

European countries were the destination for almost 20 percent of Washington exports in 2014 to date. About 5 percent of Washington’s exports end up in the United Kingdom, the single largest European importer of Washington goods. As in every other region, Washington aircrafts dominate.

Europe’s Most Imported WA Goods:

  1. Aircrafts, $7.6 billion, 76 percent
  2. Nuclear Reactors, $409 million, 4 percent
  3. Medical and Optic Equipment, $381 million, 3.8 percent
  4. Electric Machinery (Audio-Visual), $356 million, 3.5 percent
  5. Fish, Crustaceans, and Aquatic Invertebrates, $150 million, 1.5 percent

3. OUT OF WASHINGTON, INTO AFRICA

The African market for Washington State exports is very concentrated in a few countries. As in all other regions, aerospace dominates.

Four countries are destination for about 90% of WA exports.  These countries have a combined population of 160.7 million, which is just 14.4 percent of Africa’s 1.1 billion population.

  1. Kenya, $588.9 million, 44 percent
  2. Ethiopia, $389.8 million, 26 percent
  3. Angola, $186.8 million, 14 percent
  4. Equatorial Guinea, $112.4 million, 8.4 percent

4. WA’S TOP 20 PRODUCT EXPORTS

  1. Aircrafts, $26.55 billion
  2. Petroleum, $2.93 billion
  3. Vegetable Oil, $2.89 billion
  4. Cereals, $2.65 billion
  5. Nuclear Reactors, $1.81 billion
  6. Vehicles, $1.47 billion
  7. Electric Machinery (Audio-Visual), $1.28 billion
  8. Medical and Optic Equipment, $1.98 billion
  9. Wood & Wood Products, $1.17 billion
  10. Edible Fruits and Nuts, $966 million
  11. Prepared Veggies & Fruits, $580 million
  12. Paper and Paperboard, $558 million
  13. Inorganic Chemicals, Rare Earth Metals, and Radioactive Compounds, $523 million
  14. Fish, Crustaceans, and Aquatic Invertebrates, $484 million
  15. Aluminum, $449 million
  16. Iron and Steel, $425 million
  17. Precious Jewels and Stones, $332 million
  18. Dairy Products and Eggs, $310 million
  19. Plastics, $273 million
  20. Toys, Games, and Sports Equipment, $263 million

5.  TOP 20 DESTINATIONS FOR WASHINGTON PRODUCTS

  1. China, $9.96 billion, 20 percent
  2. Canada, $5.51 billion, 11 percent
  3. Japan, $4.21 billion, 8.6 percent
  4. United Kingdom, $2.12 billion, 4.3 percent
  5. South Korea, $2.04 billion, 4 percent
  6. U.A.E., $1.78 billion
  7. Mexico, $1.69 billion
  8. Germany, 1.57 billion
  9. Taiwan, $1.47 billion
  10. Russia, $1.39 billion
  11. Indonesia, $1.24 billion
  12. India, $1.18 billion
  13. Turkey, $1.08 billion
  14. Thailand, $952 million
  15. Qatar, $943 million
  16. Singapore, $908 million
  17. Hong Kong, $846 million
  18. Australia, $741 million
  19. Philippines, $678 million
  20. Malaysia, $599 million

6. ASIA

* Data obtained from US Census Bureau, State Export Data, Origin of Movement Series, HS., using USA TRADE data tool. Uploaded from site on September 16th, 2014.