Mexico, China, Canada Drive State’s Export Growth

Connecticut commodity exports jumped 9.7% to $17.38 billion in 2024, driven by growth in a number of key markets that the Trump administration is now targeting with tariffs.

U.S. Department of Commerce data shows companies exported $1.55 billion more in goods in 2024, with six of the state’s top 10 export markets posting increases.

Connecticut exports have now recovered from pandemic disruptions, with 2024 shipments about $1.15 billion (7.1%) above 2019 levels and $21 million less than 2018.

Exports to Mexico posted the largest increase of any market last year, followed by China. Canada remains Connecticut’s top export destination.

All three countries were targeted with trade sanctions earlier this month, fueling fears of a trade war.

While the Trump administration paused scheduled 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico—and 10% levies on Canadian energy commodities—Chinese imports were hit with an additional 10% tariff.

Export Markets

Commodity sales to Canada increased $189 million to $2.3 billion in 2024, with aerospace components representing about 20% of all shipments.

Germany remains the state’s second-largest export market, despite shipments declining $310 million to $1.79 billion.

Connecticut exports to Mexico soared $596 million to $1.67 billion, with that country moving from fifth to third among all markets.

China is now Connecticut’s fourth leading export destination, with exports jumping $468 million to $1.46 billion last year.

Shipments to the Netherlands rose $92 million to $1.24 billion, with United Kingdom exports declining for a second consecutive year, falling $71 million to $1.03 billion.

Exports to France also declined for a second year, falling $227 million to $831 million, the largest decrease among the top 10 markets.

Shipments to Singapore rose $155 million with exports to Japan increasing $52 million. Connecticut shipped $49 million less in goods to South Korea than in 2023.

Canada is also Connecticut’s largest trading partner, accounting for $5.74 billion of the $22.74 billion in goods the state imported in 2024.

Mexico shipped $3.6 billion in goods to Connecticut last year, followed by Germany ($1.59 billion), the Netherlands ($1.38 billion), and China ($1.34 billion).

Imports from China have declined $954 million (-41.5%) since 2018, while Canadian imports increased $2.16 billion (60%) and Mexican imports grew $1.11 billion (44%).

Top Commodity Exports

Commodity exports represent 5.9% of Connecticut’s $295.3 billion economy, with the export sector supporting more than 50,000 jobs.

Connecticut’s top 10 commodity exports in 2024 were:

• Transportation equipment: $6.21 billion, up 15.2% from 2023
• Machinery (except electrical): $3.33 billion (+5.4%)
• Computer and electronic products: $1.25 billion (+4.2%)
• Electrical equipment, appliances, and components: $1.17 billion (+11.9%)
• Fabricated metal products: $1.1 billion (+7%)
• Chemicals: $1.06 billion (+7.7%)
• Other special classification provisions: $772 million (+11.4%)
• Miscellaneous manufactured products: $503 million (+5.2%)
• Primary metal products: $362 million (+19.9%)
• Plastics and rubber products: $348 million (4.2%)

Connecticut ranks 27th nationally for exports and is the number two exporter in New England behind Massachusetts, which shipped $34.86 billion in goods last year, down $437 million (-1.2%) from 2023.

New Hampshire exports fell $497 million (-6.5%) to $7.12 billion, with Rhode Island posting a $63 million increase (+2.1%) to $3.08 billion.

Maine shipments rose $93 million (+3.1%) to $3.06 billion while Vermont declined $129 million (-6.5%) to $1.87 billion.

Overall U.S. commodity exports increased $46.46 billion (+2.3%) to $2.06 trillion in 2024—$1.93 billion below the high set in 2022.

U.S. commodity exports increased $46.46 billion to $2.06 trillion in 2024.

U.S. imports grew $187.22 billion (+6.1%) to a record $3.27 trillion.

Canada ($349 billion) and Mexico ($334 billion) remained the top two destinations for U.S. exports, with China ($144 billion), the Netherlands ($90 billion), and the United Kingdom ($80 billion) rounding out the top five markets.

Texas was again the top state for exports in 2024, with commodity shipments growing 1.9% to $455.03 billion.

California exports increased 2.5% to $183.34 billion, followed by New York (-8.8%; $91.24 billion), Louisiana (-12.5%; $86.95 billion), and Illinois (+2.5%; $80.82 billion).