Are most of South Dakota’s agricultural products exported?

While a significant share of South Dakota’s agricultural production is exported, the majority is sold domestically.

In 2023, the state exported 38% of its agricultural products to other countries, which were worth $5.6 billion, according to a South Dakota Trade official. 

Soybeans are the state’s largest agricultural export, with an estimated 60% exported as whole beans, soybean meal or oil. The figure does not include soybean meal fed to pork and poultry that ends up getting sold internationally.

Over the past decade, South Dakota’s ag exports grew 40%, from $4 billion in 2014. 

Canada followed by Mexico are South Dakota’s biggest trading partners.