What is Montana’s top export?
In 2024, Montana’s top export was civilian aircraft and parts. The state exported $219.2M in these goods. Montana’s second and third largest exports in 2024 were non-agglomerated coal ($193.7M) and Copper oxides and hydroxides ($169M).
Read on to discover more about Montana’s strongest exports, and find information about what these goods are and how they’re used. Plus, find information about Montana’s largest imports.
Table of Contents:
- What is Copper Oxide?
- What is Copper Oxide used for?
- Where is Copper Oxide mined in Montana?
- What other goods does Montana export?
- What are the major imports in Montana?
- What is the main industry in Montana?
- What are the other top industries in Montana?
Montana’s other top exports + statistics
According to Worldtopexports, Montana’s top five exports included the following:
- Civilian aircraft and parts ($219.2 million; 9.1% of total Montanan exports)
- Non-agglomerated coal ($193.7 million; 8%)
- Copper oxides and hydroxides ($169 million; 7%)
- Machinery for semiconductor production ($153.9 million; 6.4%)
- Live cattle ($147.4 million; 6.1%)
Montana exported $2.42 billion worth of goods in 2024, placing it 48th out of 56 exporters in the United States.
What is Montana’s top import?
Montana’s top import in 2024 was crude petroleum. The state imported $5.05 billion in crude petroleum, mostly from Canada, in 2024. Montana’s second and third largest imports in 2024 were unspecified commodities ($449M) and rapeseed oil ($259M).
Montana’s other top imports + statistics
Montana’s top four major imports after crude oil in 2024 included commodities not elsewhere specified ($449M), rapeseed oil ($259M), nitrogenous fertilizers ($106M), and petroleum gas ($97.3M).
93% of Montana’s imports come from Canada and Mexico. The state’s leading imports from Canada are oil and gas, while imports from Mexico include agricultural, construction, and mining machinery, as well as motor vehicles and wood products.
In total, Montana imported $7.37 billion worth of goods in 2024, a value significantly greater than its net exports for the same year ($2.42 billion), placing it at 41st among the nation’s 56 importers.
What is Montana’s main industry?
Montana’s main industry is agriculture, centered around two top commodities: animal products and crops.
The state’s agriculture sector generated about $5M in total commodity cash receipts in 2024. Animals and products were responsible for $2.4M (48%), and crops were responsible for $2.6M (52%).
Under animal products, cattle and calves were the highest-value commodity in 2024, producing $2.1M in cash receipts. Under crops, wheat was the most valuable, generating $1.1M.
Montana’s other top agricultural commodities in 2024 included the following:
- Hay ($363,000)
- Barley ($227,000)
- Lentils ($227,000)
- Miscellaneous crops ($200,000)
Montana’s other top industries
Montana’s top industries, in order of prominence, are:
- Real estate
- Agriculture
- Forestry
- Mining
- Energy production
- Healthcare
- Services & tourism
Learn more about Montana industries here: Montana’s top 7 industries – real estate, wheat, and….
Each industry impacts the state economy differently. For example, real estate generates the most in terms of GDP, and mining offers the highest average wage. Discover Montana’s biggest industries in terms of GDP, wages, and more here: Montana’s biggest industry
Header: Alan Wilson, CC BY-SA 2.0
