International Exports

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In 2021-2022, Maine exports rose 20% from the prior three years, slightly slower than the nation.

Favorable movement since the last available data

Benchmark: Maine’s international exports will grow at a pace faster than U.S. international exports.

Overview Fig. A

Overview

Maine businesses exported $3 billion worth of goods in 2023. That was a decline from the previous year, but the longer-term trend was positive. This metric looks at exports over three years because in Maine’s small economy, exports in any given year can fluctuate sharply based on the sales of a few companies. From 2018-2020 to 2021-2023, Maine exports rose 20%, on par with the 23% growth of U.S. exports.

In 2023, Maine’s gains and losses occurred across a range of industries. Seafood exports dropped $88 million (18%), likely due in part to China’s tariff on U.S. lobster. Sales of forest products, aircraft parts, and mineral fuels also fell, while sales of electrical machinery, chemical products, and prepared food rose. Canada remains Maine’s leading trade partner, with $1.4 billion in exports in 2023, followed by Malaysia, China, Mexico, and Japan.

Sales to customers in other states and countries provide valuable opportunities for Maine businesses. According to one estimate, exports account for about 1.6% of Maine businesses’ total sales (below the national rate of 3.4%). Sales made within Maine to international customers, such as those to foreign tourists and students, also provide injections into the state’s economy, but are not tracked.

Fig. A

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International Exports (Rolling Three-Year Average)

Source: Maine International Trade Center, Camoin Associates