Statistics & Export Information
Of all U.S. states, Iowa ranks:
- first in corn production and first in soybean production respectively (2009)
- first in soybean and feed grain exports (2009)
- first in hog production
- second in red meat production
- second in overall agricultural export value: $8 billion (2008)
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Iowa Export Facts
- In 2009, Iowa exported over $9 billion in manufactured and value-added agricultural goods.
- 2,851 companies exported goods from Iowa locations in 2007.
Source: Bureau of Census, 2007
- In 2009, the top five importers of Iowa agricultural, value added and manufactured goods were Canada, Mexico, Japan, Germany, and China.
Source: Global Trade Information Service
- Iowa exports pork products to 32 countries in 2009.
Source: Global Trade Information Service
- Iowa exports beef products to more than 23 countries in 2009.
Source: Global Trade Information Service
Reasons to Export
- Workers at exporting firms earn 15% more than workers in non-exporting firms.
- Worker benefits are one-third higher at exporting firms than at non-exporting firms.
- Workers at exporting plants enjoy greater job stability.
- Employment, output and productivity growth are up to 11% higher at exporting plants than at non-exporting plants.
- Exporting plants are up to 50% more productive than non-exporting plants.
- The failure rate for exporting firms is one-third less than for non-exporting firms.
- Sales per employee are 150% higher at firms that export than at non-exporting firms.
Information obtained from the National Association of Manufacturers by the Institute of International Economics
Additional Resources
Foreign procurement opportunities are available through Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs). MDBs are regional finance institutions that promote economic and social development in developing countries by providing loans, funds and technical assistance for private and public sector business development projects. Many multilateral development banks work with the U.S. Department of Commerce Commercial Service to promote U.S. exports.
Iowa companies interested in seeking foreign procurement opportunities with MDBs should:
- Familiarize themselves with projects and bidding protocol of each MDB
- Contact the appropriate Commercial Service Liaison
Working with the Commercial Service Liaisons of each MDB is essential for success in foreign procurement through MDBs. Commercial Service Liaisons help small, medium and large U.S. companies win government and MDB contracts througout the world. Read below for more information about individual MDBs and corresponding services from the U.S. Commercial Service.
African Development Bank (ADB)
The ADB is a regional multilateral development finance institution, engaged in promoting the economic development and social progress of its African member countries. Consisting of the African Development Bank, the African Development Fund, and the Nigerian Trust Fund, these three institutions offer significant business opportunities for U.S. consultants, contractors, suppliers, manufacturers and project developers.
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
The ADB is a multilateral financial institution aimed to improve the living standards of its Developing Member Countries throughout the Asia and Pacific region. ADB business opportunities occur primarily in the following sectors: Agriculture and Natural Resources; Education and Training; Energy; Environment; Industry, Finance and Other Services; Healthcare and Nutrition; Information Technology and Telecommunications; Transportation; and Urban Development.
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
The EBRD is the world's newest multilateral development bank. The Bank's program promotes the growth of market-based economies in 28 countries in Central and Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union. With US$20 billion of capital, the Bank offers a wide range of financing mechanisms to promote privatization, restructuring, and liberalization in this highly dynamic region.
Inter-American Development Bank (IADB)
Established in 1959 and with more than $100 billion in capital, the IDB is the oldest and largest regional development bank. Its primary goal is to help accelerate economic growth and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB has 47 member countries: 26 borrowing members and 21 non-borrowing members, including the United States, its largest stakeholder. The region's primary source of multilateral financing, the IDB provides loans, guarantees, and technical assistance for public- and private-sector projects and generates tens of thousands of contracts every year, ranging in size from a few thousand to several million dollars. These represent numerous commercial possibilities for businesses, including small- and medium-sized enterprises, in public works, supply of goods, and consulting services.
North American Development Bank (NADB)
The North American Development Bank (NADB) is a binational financial institution capitalized and governed equally by the United States and Mexico for the purpose of financing environmental projects certified by the Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC) [www.cocef.org]. The two institutions work together with communities and project sponsors in both countries to develop and finance infrastructure necessary for a clean and healthy environment for border residents.
World Bank
The World Bank Group lends between US$15-20 billion to developing country governments to fund projects for economic development and poverty reduction each year. This level of investment generates around 40,000 contracts, ranging in size from a few thousand dollars, to multi-million dollar expenditures for the delivery of a vast range of goods and services. Also, the Bank Group provides an extensive array of services and advice and facilitates private sector finance and investment in developing countries to promote growth and opportunity.
The Advocacy Center, U.S. Department of Commerce
The Advocacy Center of the U.S. Commercial Service coordinates U.S. Government resources and authority in order to level the playing field on behalf of U.S. business interests as they compete against foreign firms for specific international contracts or other U.S. export opportunities. In doing so, the Advocacy Center helps create and retain U.S. jobs through exports.
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International Events Archive — Trade Events, Trade Missions, Export Training Opportunities, Export Information, & more.
- On-line filing of the Shippers Export Declaration [www.aesdirect.gov]
U.S. Census Bureau's system for filing Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) on-line
- Standard Industrial Classification Search [www.census.gov/epcd/www/naics.html]
U.S. Department of Census site where you can search for NAICS codes by keyword
- Bureau of Industry and Security [www.bis.doc.gov/]
The U.S. government office which issues export licenses. Includes links to government agencies which license military, nuclear and other specialized exports.
- CIA World Factbook [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/]
Similar to the U.S. Department of State's Background Notes, but with more detailed statistical information and less historical text
- International Statistical Agencies [www.census.gov/main/www/stat_int.html]
U.S. Census Bureau's list of its counterparts in other countries
- Tariffs, Taxes, and Customs Duties [www.trade.gov/td/tic/tariff/]
U.S. Department of Commerce's Web site for information on tariffs and taxes in other countries
- U.S. Business Advisor [www.business.gov]
Links to U.S. government agencies
- U.S. Customs & Border Protection [www.customs.gov]
All you ever wanted to know about US customs regulations
- U.S. Department of Commerce - Trade Compliance Center [www.export.gov/tcc]
Includes searchable text on 300 U.S. trade agreements, "how-to" guides explaining how U.S. firms can benefit from trade agreements, and a Trade Complaint Hotline to report compliance problems.
- U.S. Department of State [www.state.gov]
Home page of the U.S. Department of State.
- U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service [www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/Export_Information/index.asp]
Export requirements for meat, poultry and processed egg products.
- U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service [www.fas.usda.gov]
Has services for commodity and processed foods exporters.
- U.S. Commercial Service Market Research Library [http://www.buyusainfo.net/adsearch2.cfm]
U.S. Department of Commerce Web site with access to Country Commercial Guides, Industry Sector Analyses, International Market Insights, and other reports
- U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs [www.travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html]
U.S. Department of State's Web site listing entry requirements for U.S. citizens visiting other countries
- U.S. Embassies [http://usembassy.state.gov/]
Link to U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide.
- U.S. International Trade Commission Tariff/Trade Information
[http://dataweb.usitc.gov]
U.S. import/export statistics, U.S. tariffs and tariff preference information
- UN International Trade Centre [www.intracen.org]
Technical cooperation agency of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) for operational, enterprise-oriented aspects of trade development
- UN International Trade Centre-Country Market Analysis [www.intracen.org/menus/countries.htm]
UN International Trade Center
- WTO [www.wto.org/ ]
World Trade Organization
Phone: 515.725.3107
international@iowa.gov
