Missouri’s machinery, chemicals, and food industries all benefit from international engagement. In 2022, Missouri exported $16.1 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 trade, representing 19.8% of all jobs in the state.^1,2
• In 2022, 5,989 companies exported goods from Missouri of which 85% were small- and medium-sized enterprises. In 2021, 144,200 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 ($5.7 billion)
  • Mexico ($3.4 billion)
  • Germany ($679 million)
  • China ($676 million)
  • Brazil ($436 million)
• Agricultural exports are important to Missouri's economy, totaling $5.2 billion in 2022, according to the USDA.⁶
• Since 2014, the U.S. Export-Import Bank has financed $1 billion in exports from 83 companies in Missouri.⁷
• Since 1992, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency has helped facilitate $230 million in exports from Missouri companies.⁹

• From 2022-2023, 19,197 international students were enrolled in Missouri colleges and universities and contributed $621 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://s3.amazonaws.com/brt.org/Business-Roundtable_TradeandAmericanJobs2022.pdf
2. https://www.businessroundtable.org/policy-perspectives/trade-international/benefits-of-trade-data
3. https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/Press-Release/edb/edbrel2021.pdf
4. https://www.bea.gov/sites/default/files/2023-08/imne0823_0.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.mcc.gov/work-with-us/mcc-business/vehicles/
9. https://ustda.gov/ustda-success-by-state/
10. https://www.nafsa.org/policy-and-advocacy/policy-resources/nafsa-international-student-economic-value-tool-v2
11. https://www.peacecorps.gov/stories/peace-corps-announces-top-2023-volunteer-producing-states/