Is Canada South Dakota’s biggest trading partner?

Like most northern states, South Dakota’s biggest trading partner is Canada.

In 2023, South Dakota exported $1.9 billion worth of goods to Canada and $1.4 billion to its No. 2 trading partner, Mexico. It also imported the most goods from Canada, followed by China and Brazil. The top export was soybeans and the biggest import was machinery.

The state’s export numbers mirror the U.S. as a whole, with Canada being the top importer of U.S. goods for several years.

Canada is also the top importer in 23 states, supplying the largest amount of grain, livestock, meat and poultry to the U.S., according to Visual Capitalist. 

Canada’s proximity along with its complementary agricultural interests and favorable trade agreements explain its status as the nation’s top trading partner.