
Biggest exports from Illinois
Significant drops in transport and travel due to coronavirus drove American exports in 2020 down 15.7% to their lowest levels since 2010, according to Commerce Department data released Feb. 5, 2021. The pandemic threw a monkey wrench into supply chains while flattening demand, all in the midst of significant tariffs imposed by the United States on China and the European Union.
The trade gap grew from $576.9 billion in 2019 to $678.7 billion in 2020. Meanwhile, China reestablished its standing as the top U.S. trade partner after being third in 2019 behind Mexico and Canada.
Stacker compiled a list of the biggest exports from Illinois using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Commodities are ranked by the highest value of exports in 2020 from Illinois.
The U.S. in 2020 shipped $1.4 trillion in goods internationally, a -13% decline from 2019 but 12% higher since 2010. Keep reading to find out what some of the biggest exports from Illinois were in 2020.

#30. Furniture; bedding etc; lamps nesoi etc; prefab bd
--- Countries export most to: Canada ($175.5 million), Mexico ($25.6 million), Australia ($9.4 million)
- Imports: $2.5 billion (1.6% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: China ($924.7 million), Mexico ($303.6 million), Vietnam ($281.7 million)
- Trade balance: $2.2 billion trade deficit

#29. Prep cereal, flour, starch or milk; bakers wares
--- Countries export most to: Canada ($255.9 million), Mexico ($24.4 million), Jamaica ($5.8 million)
- Imports: $764.0 million (0.5% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: Canada ($538.6 million), Italy ($58.4 million), Mexico ($40.5 million)
- Trade balance: $437.1 million trade deficit

#28. Essential oils etc; perfumery, cosmetic etc preps
--- Countries export most to: Canada ($104.0 million), United Kingdom ($40.2 million), France ($31.7 million)
- Imports: $351.7 million (0.2% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: Mexico ($110.7 million), China ($62.3 million), Canada ($26.9 million)
- Trade balance: $6.8 million trade deficit

#27. Beverages, spirits and vinegar
--- Countries export most to: Canada ($125.3 million), Netherlands ($112.2 million), Finland ($31.5 million)
- Imports: $5.0 billion (3.2% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: Mexico ($4.3 billion), France ($183.6 million), Canada ($169.8 million)
- Trade balance: $4.6 billion trade deficit

#26. Copper and articles thereof
--- Countries export most to: Canada ($67.3 million), Mexico ($46.6 million), Germany ($43.3 million)
- Imports: $459.4 million (0.3% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: Germany ($108.3 million), Mexico ($69.8 million), Vietnam ($69.3 million)
- Trade balance: $64.2 million trade deficit

#25. Aluminum and articles thereof
--- Countries export most to: Canada ($207.8 million), Mexico ($67.7 million), Malaysia ($27.0 million)
- Imports: $856.3 million (0.5% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: China ($208.7 million), Canada ($100.1 million), United Arab Emirates ($87.4 million)
- Trade balance: $454.8 million trade deficit
#24. Soap etc; waxes, polish etc; candles; dental preps
--- Countries export most to: Canada ($163.5 million), China ($39.2 million), Mexico ($32.6 million)
- Imports: $240.1 million (0.2% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: Canada ($50.8 million), China ($34.3 million), Japan ($23.0 million)
- Trade balance: $200.8 million trade surplus

#23. Nat etc pearls, prec etc stones, pr met etc; coin
--- Countries export most to: Canada ($182.0 million), Italy ($63.1 million), Sweden ($52.0 million)
- Imports: $1.7 billion (1.1% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: Canada ($832.5 million), South Africa ($441.2 million), Kazakhstan ($65.2 million)
- Trade balance: $1.3 billion trade deficit
#22. Paper & paperboard & articles (inc papr pulp artl)
--- Countries export most to: Canada ($238.9 million), Mexico ($123.8 million), Germany ($15.8 million)
- Imports: $1.1 billion (0.7% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: Canada ($490.8 million), Finland ($166.4 million), China ($126.8 million)
- Trade balance: $649.9 million trade deficit
#21. Tanning & dye ext etc; dye, paint, putty etc; inks
--- Countries export most to: Canada ($275.4 million), Mexico ($64.8 million), Brazil ($14.9 million)
- Imports: $319.8 million (0.2% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: Canada ($86.5 million), China ($39.0 million), India ($38.3 million)
- Trade balance: $178.4 million trade surplus
#20. Inorg chem; prec & rare-earth met & radioact compd
--- Countries export most to: Canada ($304.6 million), Mexico ($73.1 million), China ($29.8 million)
- Imports: $426.4 million (0.3% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: Canada ($154.0 million), Mexico ($77.0 million), China ($76.8 million)
- Trade balance: $106.7 million trade surplus

#19. Railway or tramway stock etc; traffic signal equip
--- Countries export most to: Canada ($316.6 million), Mexico ($127.0 million), Gabon ($11.7 million)
- Imports: $180.8 million (0.1% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: Mexico ($58.2 million), China ($49.5 million), Canada ($48.9 million)
- Trade balance: $367.2 million trade surplus
#18. Iron and steel
--- Countries export most to: Mexico ($278.9 million), Canada ($191.0 million), Malaysia ($30.6 million)
- Imports: $2.0 billion (1.3% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: Brazil ($677.2 million), Mexico ($303.0 million), Canada ($297.2 million)
- Trade balance: $1.4 billion trade deficit

#17. Cereals
--- Countries export most to: Mexico ($329.8 million), Taiwan ($113.5 million), China ($82.8 million)
- Imports: $58.5 million (0.0% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: Thailand ($21.6 million), Canada ($8.5 million), India ($6.5 million)
- Trade balance: $589.9 million trade surplus

#16. Miscellaneous edible preparations
--- Countries export most to: Canada ($255.9 million), Mexico ($82.0 million), Chile ($36.8 million)
- Imports: $468.7 million (0.3% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: Canada ($158.2 million), Brazil ($47.1 million), China ($40.5 million)
- Trade balance: $207.5 million trade surplus

#15. Rubber and articles thereof
--- Countries export most to: Canada ($269.5 million), Mexico ($157.1 million), Australia ($52.3 million)
- Imports: $2.4 billion (1.6% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: Canada ($386.4 million), Malaysia ($373.6 million), Thailand ($303.1 million)
- Trade balance: $1.7 billion trade deficit

#14. Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof
--- Countries export most to: Japan ($118.8 million), Germany ($115.9 million), Canada ($113.9 million)
- Imports: $4.6 billion (2.9% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: Japan ($2.1 billion), Italy ($501.9 million), Canada ($307.7 million)
- Trade balance: $3.8 billion trade deficit
#13. Organic chemicals
--- Countries export most to: Canada ($218.7 million), Mexico ($89.0 million), India ($64.8 million)
- Imports: $1.8 billion (1.2% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: China ($672.1 million), Canada ($292.4 million), Japan ($127.4 million)
- Trade balance: $940.5 million trade deficit

#12. Oil seeds etc.; misc grain, seed, fruit, plant etc
--- Countries export most to: Indonesia ($279.4 million), Taiwan ($167.8 million), Vietnam ($115.9 million)
- Imports: $156.2 million (0.1% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: Canada ($76.4 million), India ($16.3 million), Costa Rica ($12.1 million)
- Trade balance: $733.4 million trade surplus

#11. Meat and edible meat offal
--- Countries export most to: China ($179.3 million), Japan ($144.6 million), Korea, South ($87.8 million)
- Imports: $721.7 million (0.5% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: Australia ($350.6 million), Canada ($224.6 million), Mexico ($76.6 million)
- Trade balance: $193.3 million trade surplus

#10. Mineral fuel, oil etc.; bitumin subst; mineral wax
--- Countries export most to: Canada ($821.9 million), Mexico ($36.3 million), Saudi Arabia ($29.4 million)
- Imports: $18.0 billion (11.5% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: Canada ($18.0 billion), Sweden ($8.1 million), Germany ($5.4 million)
- Trade balance: $17.0 billion trade deficit
#9. Articles of iron or steel
--- Countries export most to: Canada ($429.1 million), Mexico ($311.8 million), Australia ($71.0 million)
- Imports: $2.1 billion (1.3% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: China ($764.4 million), Taiwan ($343.7 million), Mexico ($188.8 million)
- Trade balance: $803.6 million trade deficit
#8. Food industry residues & waste; prep animal feed
--- Countries export most to: Korea, South ($189.6 million), Vietnam ($146.6 million), Turkey ($137.1 million)
- Imports: $370.2 million (0.2% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: China ($121.8 million), Canada ($98.0 million), Vietnam ($64.2 million)
- Trade balance: $973.3 million trade surplus

#7. Plastics and articles thereof
--- Countries export most to: Canada ($691.6 million), Mexico ($626.9 million), China ($110.1 million)
- Imports: $3.6 billion (2.3% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: China ($1.0 billion), Canada ($805.9 million), Mexico ($360.5 million)
- Trade balance: $1.4 billion trade deficit
#6. Miscellaneous chemical products
--- Countries export most to: Germany ($660.1 million), Canada ($406.8 million), Mexico ($217.5 million)
- Imports: $1.0 billion (0.7% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: Germany ($217.2 million), Canada ($189.4 million), China ($132.1 million)
- Trade balance: $1.2 billion trade surplus
#5. Optic, photo etc, medic or surgical instrments etc
--- Countries export most to: Mexico ($416.1 million), Canada ($407.5 million), Germany ($379.5 million)
- Imports: $3.9 billion (2.5% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: China ($664.3 million), Japan ($622.8 million), Germany ($430.3 million)
- Trade balance: $1.0 billion trade deficit

#4. Pharmaceutical products
--- Countries export most to: Germany ($908.1 million), Australia ($656.2 million), United Kingdom ($581.4 million)
- Imports: $8.9 billion (5.7% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: Germany ($3.8 billion), Ireland ($1.7 billion), Singapore ($1.2 billion)
- Trade balance: $3.7 billion trade deficit

#3. Vehicles, except railway or tramway, and parts etc
--- Countries export most to: Canada ($1.4 billion), Australia ($1.1 billion), Mexico ($610.6 million)
- Imports: $4.0 billion (2.6% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: Mexico ($1.0 billion), Germany ($697.1 million), China ($681.2 million)
- Trade balance: $1.4 billion trade surplus

#2. Electric machinery etc; sound equip; tv equip; pts
--- Countries export most to: Mexico ($1.1 billion), Canada ($1.1 billion), Hong Kong ($696.0 million)
- Imports: $35.4 billion (22.7% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: China ($21.9 billion), Vietnam ($3.3 billion), Mexico ($2.2 billion)
- Trade balance: $28.7 billion trade deficit

#1. Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery etc.; parts
--- Countries export most to: Canada ($2.5 billion), Mexico ($1.2 billion), Australia ($837.8 million)
- Imports: $27.4 billion (17.6% of imports)
--- Countries import most from: China ($14.1 billion), Japan ($2.0 billion), Mexico ($1.6 billion)
- Trade balance: $17.8 billion trade deficit