Biggest Exporting Industries in the US in 2020

1. Aircraft, Engine & Parts Manufacturing in the US

Exports for 2020: $120.9B

The Aircraft, Engine and Parts Manufacturing industry develops and manufactures planes, rotorcraft, engines and related components for the civil and defense markets. After years of growth, the industry's revenue has recently slowed. The majority of this stagnation was due to falling defense spending, which reduced US demand for military aircraft and related components. However, some of the decline in growth was also caused by a slowdown in the commercial segment, as global demand moderated and operators switched production to newer generation products. Therefore, over the five years to 2019, industry revenue is expected to increase at an annualized rate of... Learn More

2. Petroleum Refining in the US

Exports for 2020: $99.3B

Operators in the Petroleum Refining industry have experienced volatile conditions from 2014 to 2019. Rising crude oil prices fueled revenue growth until the middle of 2014, due to refiners' ability to pass costs down the distribution line. Furthermore, low domestic crude oil prices, when compared with those of international crude oil, bolstered the competitiveness of US petroleum exports. Consequently, in 2015, the United States became a net exporter of refined petroleum products for the first time since 1949. However, since mid-2014, crude oil prices have declined due to slowing international demand and rapid production growth. Prices fell drastically in 2015... Learn More

3. Oil Drilling & Gas Extraction in the US

Exports for 2020: $86.9B

In recent years, the Oil and Gas Extraction industry has been challenged by a decline in oil and natural gas prices. Domestic production of oil and gas has steadily increased during the five years to 2019, and operators have positioned themselves to perform strongly as prices rise in the five years to 2024. Although the industry remains exposed to global commodity price fluctuations, IBISWorld expects that the industry will sustain itself moving forward due to its highly lucrative operations.During the five years to 2019, industry revenue has decreased at an estimated annualized rate of 0.4% to $413.2 billion. The industry... Learn More

4. Brand Name Pharmaceutical Manufacturing in the US

Exports for 2020: $47.3B

Over the five years to 2020, the Brand Name Pharmaceutical Manufacturing industry in the United States experienced several new drug launches, with nearly 50 new active substances launched in 2019 alone. According to research by Informa PLC, the number of new drug launches in 2019 was more than double the number launched in 2016, with many new drug launches focusing on rare diseases and oncology. Given increasing price scrutiny, competition from generics, intensifying market competition among brand name producers and rising research and development (R&D) expenses, many manufacturers shifted their strategic focus to more lucrative therapy areas, such as rare... Learn More

5. Organic Chemical Manufacturing in the US

Exports for 2020: $41.6B

Revenue for the Organic Chemical Manufacturing industry, which provides raw materials to industries such as plastic, paint and adhesive manufacturing, has declined at an annualized rate of 0.6% to $147.5 billion over the five years to 2019. Overall, the industry has experienced significant economic challenges in recent years. Industry exports declined consistently between 2014 and 2016, as lower industrial and manufacturing activity from emerging economies such as China led to depressed demand for organic chemicals produced by this industry. Moreover, declining organic chemical prices further pressured industry revenue, especially in 2014 and 2015.

Consumer spending and US construction growth have continued... Learn More

6. Car & Automobile Manufacturing in the US

Exports for 2020: $40.3B

The Car and Automobile Manufacturing industry has experienced bumpy roads over the five years to 2019. General improvements to the economy and heavy buying activity from integral downstream markets are expected to help the auto sector overall. However, declining prices for fuel and crude oil have helped bolster demand for light trucks and sport utility vehicles at the expense of compact cars and sedans. Furthermore, automakers' response to consumer preference has been to shift production away from industry-relevant vehicles. In 2017, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV halted production of cars and sedans in the United States. In 2018, General Motors Company... Learn More

7. Plastic & Resin Manufacturing in the US

Exports for 2020: $37.9B

Despite enduring a volatile period, the Plastic and Resin Manufacturing industry has experienced steady demand for its products over the five years to 2019. This industry, which relies on demand from downstream manufacturers and the construction sector, has benefited from increased construction and manufacturing activity. Nonetheless, low product prices have negatively affected revenue. Consequently, revenue is expected to fall at an annualized rate of 2.0% to $104.0 billion during the period.

The prices of raw materials such as crude oil have been volatile. While the price of crude oil reached record highs leading up to early 2014, it has dropped dramatically... Learn More

8. Navigational Instrument Manufacturing in the US

Exports for 2020: $29.2B

The Navigational Instrument Manufacturing industry produces a wide range of devices, including search, detection and navigational instruments, appliance regulators and controls, laboratory analytical instruments and physical properties testing equipment. The industry has a diverse clientele, including industries in air-traffic control, shipbuilding, construction, geophysical services and research. This variety of markets shields revenue from extreme fluctuations in downstream demand.

Economic growth over the five years to 2019 bolstered private investment and demand from the private sector, benefiting analytical laboratory instruments manufacturers while increased federal funding for defense during the second half of the period bolstered demand from the public sector for specialized... Learn More

9. Semiconductor & Circuit Manufacturing in the US

Exports for 2020: $27.4B

Semiconductors are a core component of electronics and a vital input of products ranging from devices and systems (e.g. computers, cell phones and TVs) to solutions and services (e.g. internet providers, telecommunications and broadcasting services). The Semiconductor and Circuit Manufacturing industry is one of the top export industries in the United States, and, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), the industry indirectly provides jobs to over 250,000 Americans. The industry’s products are a major input for other technologies, leading to diversified demand from many markets. The use of semiconductors in various emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT),... Learn More

10. Medical Instrument & Supply Manufacturing in the US

Exports for 2020: $26.1B

The Medical Instrument and Supply Manufacturing industry has struggled over the five years to 2019 as a result of declines throughout the manufacturing sector. Immediately following the recession, manufacturing industries benefited from inflated demand created by the improving economy. However, this inflated demand has slowed over the past five years. Additionally, the Healthcare Sector faced uncertainty in 2017, when aspects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) were repealed and health insurance enrollment fell. This resulted in a dip in industry revenue. As a result, industry revenue is expected to decline at an annualized rate of 0.1% to $89.7... Learn More