International Exports

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In 2022-2024, Maine exports were 16% higher than the previous three-year period.

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 $3.1 billion worth of goods in 2024, up 3% from the previous year. 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 2019-2021 to 2022-2024, Maine exports rose 16%. That was strong growth, although less than the 27% national growth rate.

In 2024, Maine’s gains and losses occurred across a range of industries. Sales of wood pulp, chemical products, and beverages grew, while sales of mineral fuels and oil, wood products, and aircraft parts fell. Seafood exports rose slightly, but are still 33% below their 2021 peak, likely due in part to China’s tariff on U.S. lobster. Canada remains Maine’s leading trade partner with $1.3 billion in exports in 2024, followed by Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Germany, and China.

Sales to customers in other states and countries provide valuable opportunities for Maine businesses. According to one estimate, international exports account for about 2.0% of Maine businesses’ total sales (below the national rate of 3.9%). 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