Wisconsin is a world leader in industrial machinery and high-tech manufacturing, which helped the state export $28 billion worth of goods in 2023. Over 8,800 companies in the state export overseas, supporting more than 691,000 Wisconsin jobs.
Job Creation
In Wisconsin, 691,400 jobs were supported by trade, representing 18.4% of all jobs in the state.1,2
In 2022, 8,885 companies exported goods from Wisconsin of which 86% were small- and medium-sized enterprises. In 2021, 130,200 people were employed by affiliates of companies at least 50% foreign-owned.3,4
Exports and Growth
Wisconsin exported $28.0 billion in goods to foreign markets in 2023, a 2% increase compared to 2022. Wisconsin’s largest markets were:5
Canada ($8.5 billion)
Mexico ($4.3 billion)
China ($1.5 billion)
Germany ($959 million)
United Kingdom ($899 million)
Agricultural exports are important to Wisconsin's economy, totaling $4.7 billion in 2022, according to the USDA.6
Since 2014, the U.S. Export-Import Bank has financed $2 billion in exports from 159 companies in Wisconsin.7
Since 1992, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency has helped facilitate $460 million in exports from Wisconsin companies.9
Education and Research
From 2022-2023, 13,650 international students were enrolled in Wisconsin colleges and universities and contributed $486 million to the Wisconsin economy.10
Global Engagement
Since 1961, 6,422 Peace Corps volunteers from Wisconsin have served in dozens of countries overseas.11