What Does the US Import from Canada? Top Products and Trends

More than a long border separates the US and Canada. They have one of the biggest trade relationships in the world. Billions of dollars of goods and services cross the border every month, making Canada top trading partner for the United States. The relationship is long standing, built on decades of free trade agreements like NAFTA, and now USMCA and highly integrated supply chains in sectors from energy to agriculture.

This breakdown will show you the top products, goods and services flowing south of the border, the trends driving that flow, and why both countries rely so heavily on this cross border trade. You’ll see how industries like agriculture, manufacturing and energy are connected, how the data shows seasonal patterns, and where trade growth may be headed.

The United States and Canada share one of the world’s largest and most integrated trading partnerships. As neighbors with closely aligned economies, they engage in billions of dollars’ worth of trade daily. Canada consistently ranks as one of the top trading partners of the US, with imports and exports spanning energy, automotive, agriculture, and technology sectors.

This strong trade relationship is supported by key agreements such as the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), which replaced NAFTA and aims to simplify cross-border trade, reduce tariffs, and enhance cooperation.

The seamless flow of goods and services between the two countries is critical for both economies, benefiting industries on both sides of the border and supporting millions of jobs. This relationship continues to evolve with emerging trends in clean energy, digital trade, and supply chain diversification.

🚀 Ready to grow your business in the U.S. market? Connect with verified American buyers on Torg and start building profitable export relationships today.

When the majority of people envision Canadian exports, they are imagining maple syrup or hockey equipment. However, the reality is that the Canada-US economic ties is much more profound and is valued at hundreds of billions annually. From gasoline to fresh fruits and vegetables, Canada is instrumental in powering US industries, firms, and homes.

Agricultural and Food Products

Canadian farms, fisheries, and food processors export the US a vast array of products. The flow of Canada agriculture exports consist of beef, pork, seafood, fresh fruits and vegetables, and greenhouse produce such as cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers that stock supermarket section during slow US harvest periods.

Canada's packaged foods and bakery sector is also a major contributor. The US also imports bread, pastries, cereals, frozen foods, sauces, and growing quantities of specialty and health-oriented products such as organic lentils, flaxseed, and gluten-free flours. For beef alone, Canada's year-round supply underpins both grocery and foodservice businesses throughout the US.

Energy and Natural Resources

Energy is the big gun in Canada trade with US. Canada is the biggest foreign source of crude oil to the US, shipping millions of barrels daily through pipelines. America also imports Canadian natural gas, hydroelectricity, and refined products. Seasonal demand such as increased winter heating requirements usually triggers spikes in the category.

Automotive and Transportation Equipment

North America's automotive industry and vehicles are highly integrated. Cars, engines, transmissions, and auto parts go back and forth across the border several times before reaching the stage of final assembly. Ontario's plants manufacture cars, trucks, buses, and heavy machinery that are US-safety certified and ready for instant sale in American markets.

Minerals and Metals

Canada provides the US with aluminum, nickel, copper, and precious metals essential for automobiles, aircraft, and green energy ventures. Canadian steel is still price-competitive with less tariff and more consistent delivery. To US manufacturers, obtaining metals from Canada equates to stable quality, consistent supply, and reduced risk of price fluctuations in the global market or disruptions in trade.

Chemicals and Plastics

Canadian plastics, fertilizers, and chemicals supply US packaging lines, factories, and farms. From pharmaceuticals to industrial solvents, the traffic serves several industries. Canadian generic drugs and over-the-counter medication frequently lower US prices without sacrificing quality, making them the best option for American distributors and medical professionals looking for stable prices and reliable delivery.

Trade between the United States and Canada is more than just exchanging goods — it plays a crucial role in supporting the US economy. Here’s how trade with Canada benefits the US:

• Job Creation: Millions of American jobs depend on exports to and imports from Canada, especially in manufacturing, agriculture, and energy sectors.
• Access to Resources: The US relies on Canadian energy products like oil and natural gas, which help keep energy prices stable and industries running smoothly.
• Strong Supply Chains: Many US companies are part of integrated supply chains that cross the US-Canada border, boosting efficiency and lowering production costs.
• Consumer Benefits: Imports from Canada provide US consumers with a wide variety of products — often at lower prices and higher quality due to competitive trade.
• Economic Growth: Trade with Canada contributes billions of dollars to the US GDP annually, helping fuel overall economic development.

This close trading relationship strengthens both countries and creates a stable economic environment that encourages innovation and investment.

US–Canada commerce goes in seasonal and regional cycles. During winter, US consumers have a huge demand for Canadian oil, gas, and electricity to keep homes warm and power industries. Summer and fall see high-season shipment of fresh fruits and vegetables (from British Columbia cherries to Quebec sweet corn) onto grocery store shelves when US farms can't keep up. Ontario greenhouse tomatoes come into the US well into February, and Canadian apples reach US markets long before domestic orchards start producing.

The direction of trade also is highly regional. Northern border states such as Michigan, New York, and Washington rely extremely heavily on proximate provinces for automobile parts, wood products, and foodstuffs. In the South, pipelines carry constant amounts of Alberta and Saskatchewan crude and refined products. Coastal states tend to trade directly with Canadian fishing centers, importing lobster from Nova Scotia or wild salmon from British Columbia, keeping supply chains fresh, fast, and reliable.

A number of variables affect the volume the US imports from Canada on an annual basis. From changes in currency to political choices and international demand fluctuations, these can turn on a dime to alter prices, supply, and commerce direction in a matter of weeks. Knowing them enables companies to strategize purchases, mitigate risks, and remain competitive.

Currency Exchange Rates

When people ask how much does Canada export to USA, the answer often shifts with market conditions and currency plays a big role. When the Canadian dollar drops against the US dollar, American buyers get more bang for their buck. This can make everything from lumber to seafood more attractive to import. Big manufacturers and wholesalers watch exchange rates daily and buy in bulk when the currency difference is in their favour. Even small rate movements can change seasonal buying patterns or trigger renegotiation of long term supply contracts.

Political and Trade Policy Changes

US-Canadian trade runs smoothly most of the time but politics can change things fast. Changes to deals like USMCA trade, new tariffs or updates to safety and quality standards can disrupt supply chains. Case in point: the steel tariffs during the Trump administration changed metal flows overnight and left manufacturers scrambling to find new sources or absorb the extra cost. Companies on both sides of the border watch for policy changes to avoid surprises.

Global Market Influences

Canada sells to more than the US, and international demand can tip the scales. If another country is willing to pay a premium or signs up for a large supply agreement, Canadian products can cut out US buyers altogether. This occurs regularly in agricultural goods. When China places increased orders for Canadian canola oil, US processors have less available and must pay more, for instance. The same holds true for minerals, seafood, and even some manufactured goods, so US importers have to compete in a global market and not bilaterally.

US-Canada trade is not one size fits all. What enters each state depends on its industries, geography, and infrastructure. To manufacturing states such as Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois, imports are skewed toward machinery, auto parts, and raw metals. These states have close relationships with Ontario and Quebec industrial centers, which supply components directly into local assembly lines.

Farm states like Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska turn north to procure critical farm inputs. Canadian fertilizer, feed grains, and even live cattle flow south to fuel big farming and meatpacking. These flows follow predictable seasonal patterns related to planting and harvest timetables.

Each state has its own needs. Canadian seafood exports to US markets vary by region — the Northeast imports fresh seafood from Atlantic Canada (lobster, scallops, mussels), while the Pacific Coast sources salmon, crab, and halibut from British Columbia. These are shipped by ocean to ensure restaurants and retailers get peak freshness.

Interior states which are away from ports rely on border crossing trucking and rail networks. Products like packaged food, construction materials, and home furnishings come in through heavy traffic trade corridors like the Detroit-Windsor crossing or the North Dakota-Manitoba routes. This shows how the US-Canada economic connection meets every state’s needs.

Canada's position in US trade is changing rapidly. Evolving customer preference, greener technologies, and international supply chain realignments are defining the future of cross-border trade. Here's what will lead the way in years to come:

• Renewable Energy – Look for increased US imports of Canadian clean electricity, battery energy storage systems, and technology associated with hydro, wind, and solar initiatives.
• Electric Vehicle Supply Chain – US EV manufacturing will be supplied with Canadian nickel, cobalt, lithium, and battery parts as manufacturers eliminate gasoline-powered vehicles.
• Sustainable Agriculture – Increasing demand for organic grains, plant-based proteins, and eco-certified seafood from Canada's environmentally regulated producers.
• Critical Goods Reshoring – Proximity, common infrastructure, and free trade agreements make Canada a secure backstop to far-flung suppliers during geopolitical or logistical disruptions.

Canada is more than a neighbor. It's one of the US's most strategic trading partners. The coming decade will be one of deepening integration, with both countries enjoying secure, stable, and future-oriented supply lines.

U.S.-Canada trade is not a theoretical economic phenomenon, it's an everyday exchange that keeps factories operating, store shelves filled, and jobs safe on both sides of the border. Each truck crossing at Detroit-Windsor or each shipment passing through Vancouver's port sends goods that feed, fuel, and supply millions of individuals.

From Canadian crude fueling US refineries to American equipment propelling Canadian factories, this trade alliance is thoroughly entrenched within both economies. It is founded upon decades of collaboration, mutual infrastructure, and reliable supply chains that corporations can count on.

For businesses, monitoring these trade flows is not about seeing what's hot today. It's about seeing changes such as increasing imports of renewable energy or exports of cross-border e-commerce that will redefine demand tomorrow. The patterns can help businesses anticipate smarter, mitigate risks, and capture opportunities ahead of the competition.

The US–Canada trade relationship will continue to change, but its basis is sound: mutual advantage, trust, and the effectiveness of having a reliable partner right next door.

1. What does the US import the most from Canada?

Energy leads the pack — crude oil, natural gas, and electricity constitute the largest portion of imports. These fuels power American power plants, fill stations, and industry. Additionally, US imports Canadian food. Canada's stable production and geographical proximity make it the US's first choice for these vital commodities.

2. What does the US rely on Canada for?

The US relies largely on Canada for more than energy alone. Automotive components from Canadian plants supply US assembly lines, minerals enhance manufacturing, and agricultural commodities stock supermarket shelves. This border-to-border supply is reliable and less susceptible to the long lead times or political turmoil that plague other suppliers.

3. What foods does the U.S. imports from Canada?

US imports of Canadian products consist of Alberta beef, Atlantic sea fishery products, British Columbia fresh fruits and vegetables, and value-added baked foods from large food processing companies. Specialty and seasonal products are also exported south, making US consumers enjoy year-round access to products that otherwise would be too expensive or not available.

4. Does the US import more from Canada than it exports?

The balance of trade varies from year to year, but US imports from Canada tend to exceed exports by a narrow margin. This is partly because Canada export to US so much energy product, which has considerable total value relative to much of the other products in the mix of trade.

5. What US states import the most from Canada?

Those with good industrial bases and geographical destination top the list. Michigan imports car parts for its car plants, New York exchanges heavily in both energy and merchandise, Illinois and Ohio import manufacturing inputs, and California imports food products and packaged goods.