2022 Kansas Export Statistics Executive Summary

Kansas exports reached an all-time high of $13.97 billion in 2022. Compared with last year’s data, exports surged by $1.42 billion, representing an 11.36 percent growth. The previous highs for state exports occurred in 2021 and 2008, and both topped out at $12.5 billion. The pent-up demand due to the ongoing global pandemic, the higher prices for products, and trading partners’ fiscal and monetary policy actions are likely to be the significant contributing factors behind the growth.

The combined value of the top ten exported commodities was $10.72 billion, which increased by 11.63 percent since 2021. The most significant gains were seen in the aircraft and parts category, vehicle and parts category, electric machinery category, and industrial machinery category, which increased by $311 million, $248 million, $200 million, and 199 million respectively. By contrast, the cereals category decreased by $133 million, the beverages category shrunk by $39 million, and the special classification category dropped by $30 million. The beverages category includes ethyl alcohol, a major ingredient for hand sanitizer and other cleaning products now experiencing post pandemic demand reductions and the special classification category includes products such as repaired goods.  

In the five-state region, including Kansas, Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, the average export value was $11.2 billion, which is $2.76 billion less than the Sunflower State.

Below are some highlights regarding key international markets and commodities:

• The top ten exported commodities accounted for 76.75 percent of total exports, nearly the same as last year’s data (77.3 percent);

• Other than the aircraft and parts category, vehicle and parts category, electric machinery category, and industrial machinery category, significant growth was seen in the food industry residues, meat, and oil seeds categories, which increased by $93 million, $70 million, and $56 million respectively;

• Mexico, Canada, and Japan took the title of Kansas’ Top-Three Export Destinations, totaling $6.79 billion, or 48.6% of total Kansas exports. Compared with last year’s data, exports to the top-three markets increased by nearly $911 million;

• Exports to Canada, Mexico, and France experienced the highest growth, which increased by $590 million, $369 million, and 88 million. The most dramatic decrease in exports occurred with China and Russia, which fell by $402 million and $69 million respectively;

• For Mexico, the surge came from the dairy product and industrial machinery categories. For Canada, the increase came from the vehicle and parts category. For France, aircraft and parts, vehicles and parts, and industrial and electric machinery contributed to the significant growth. For China, the most noticeable decrease can be observed in the agricultural commodities category – excluding oil seeds which saw an increase. For Russia, reductions can be seen in all categories with a couple of exceptions, such as pharmaceutical products and copper articles;

• Compared with the previous year, the only partner that dropped off from the Top-Ten destination list was Taiwan. It became Kansas’ 11^th largest export destination in 2022. A reduction in oil seeds and aircraft/parts exports mainly caused the slight change;

• The top ten markets accounted for more than 72 percent of total exports.