Alaska Trends

Free Trade in the
49th State
T

hough many consider Alaska to literally be the Last Frontier, it is in fact a super hub of import and export activity. In 2017 Alaska exported nearly $5 billion in goods to destinations worldwide. Its top five export markets are China, Japan, Canada, Korea, and Germany. Its top five exports are seafood, minerals and ores, petroleum and coal products, transportation equipment, and oil and gas.

Exports Sustain Hundreds of Alaska Businesses
A total of 589 companies exported from Alaska locations in 2015.
418
Number of small and medium-sized (SME) goods exporters in Alaska in 2015
SMEs account for 71% of Alaska goods exporters
SME Exporters
…and 38% of known Alaska goods export value
Exports from SMEs
Free Trade Agreements
The US currently has 14 free trade agreements in force with 20 countries.

Alaska’s exports to US FTA partners totaled $1.6 billion in 2017.

Since 2007, exports from Alaska have grown to several FTA markets
Top Dollar Growth, 2007-2017
(Millions of US Dollars)
In 2017, exports to FTA markets accounted for 33% of Alaska exports
Current FTA Partners
$4.9 billion
$4.9 billion
in Alaska Goods exports in 2017
Alaska’s Metropolitan Exports

Anchorage is the 134th largest metro area reporting exports nationwide.

In 2016 the Anchorage metro area brought in $1.2 billion in goods export value, resulting in a 51.7% share of state exports

In 2016 the Fairbanks metro area brought in $3 million in goods export value, resulting in a 0.1% share of state exports.

Alaska Depends on World Markets
Exports from Alaska helped contribute to the $2.33 trillion of US goods and services exports in 2017.
Alaska’s Top 5 Export Markets
(Millions of US Dollars)
Alaska’s Top 5 Export Categories
(Millions of US Dollars)
Foreign Investment & Jobs in Alaska
In 2015, foreign-owned companies employed 17,400 Alaska workers
Alaska Employment in Foreign-Owned Companies
Number of Employees by Country of UBO
6.7%
Share of Alaska private-industry employment at foreign-owned firms

SOURCE: Office of Trade and Economic Analysis, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.

ANS Crude Oil Production

SOURCE: Alaska Department of Revenue Tax Division

ANS West Coast Crude Oil Prices

SOURCE: Alaska Department of Revenue Tax Division

Statewide Employment Figures
10/1976—11/2018
Seasonally Adjusted

SOURCE: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Research & Analysis Section

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