State trade fact sheets - Alaska
Alaska
Highlights
- 53 Canadian-owned businesses employ 3,900 workers in Alaska
- Canada is the #1 customer for most states
- 76% of Canadian exports to the U.S. are raw materials, parts, and components used to create other goods in the United States
- Canada sells more to Alaska than it sells to Egypt
Anchorage Makes Electric Vehicle History
Anchorage made electric vehicle history by purchasing Alaska’s first commercial electric waste disposal truck. Anchorage’s Solid Waste Services (SWS) partnered with Ontario-based eCamion, Inc. to test an electric vehicle charging station which incorporates a large battery. eCamion has a proprietary battery system that allows for a steady charge at a lower voltage, reducing demand rates from electric utilities. eCamion’s technology will lower operating costs for the City of Anchorage, while providing fast, reliable, and sustainable charging to electric trucks under demanding climate conditions. The innovative battery technology will be the first of its kind in the state. The Alaska Center for Energy and Power will utilize this pilot project to conduct a performance analysis of the electric vehicles, which are built by Peterbilt Motors Company and eCamion’s charging station, with the goal of expanding electric truck fleets in Alaska and around the world.
Support for Alaskan Transportation Industry
British Columbia-based Viking Air is a leading supplier of utility aircraft to help support the needs of rural businesses throughout Alaska. In 2020, when Homer, Alaska-based company Maritime Helicopters needed a new aircraft to operate on the North Slope in Alaska, they turned to the Viking Twin Otter Series to best support the Alaska Oil and Gas industry.
Continuing the theme of Alaska-Canada partnership in the air, many Alaskan pilots receive regular training through Pacific Sky Aviation, located in Alberta. This critical training ensures Alaskan-based flight services such as Maritime Helicopters are able to continue serving a wide variety of industries/needs in the High Arctic, North Slope, Western Aleutians, Southeast, and Interior.
Investing in Alaska
There are over 50 Canadian-owned companies operating in the state of Alaska. These companies account for nearly 3,900 jobs throughout the state and contribute $240 million in salaries. These Canadian companies and their employees are major contributors to Alaska’s economy.
Alaska exports $743 million in goods to Canada annually
Alaska exports to Canada by industry
- Agriculture: 14%
- Energy: 9%
- Minerals & metals: 70%
- Transportation: 3%
- Other: 4%
Alaska imports $676 million in goods from Canada annually
Alaska imports from Canada by industry
- Energy: 46%
- Equipment & machinery: 13%
- Forest products: 3%
- Minerals & metals: 20%
- Transportation: 7%
- Other: 11%
Top Alaska goods exports to Canada
- Ores, slag & ash: $515 million
- Fish & crustaceans: $97 million
- Fuel oil: $68 million
- Aircraft & parts: $23 million
- Wood & semi-finished wood products: $7 million
- Pearls, gems, precious metals & jewelry: $6 million
- Animal or vegetable fats, oils & waxes: $3 million
- Engines & turbines: $3 million
- Electric motors & generators: $2 million
- Meat, fish & seafood preparations: $2 million
Top Alaska goods imports from Canada
- Fuel oil: $301 million
- Ores, slag & ash: $105 million
- Wood & semi-finished wood products: $20 million
- Aircraft & parts: $19 million
- Engines & turbines: $17 million
- Iron & steel tubes, pipes & sheets: $16 million
- Automobiles: $14 million
- Optical, medical & precision instruments: $9 million
- Fertilizers: $8 million
- Natural gas & other gases: $7 million
Alaska exports $69 million in services to Canada annually
Top Alaska services exports to Canada
- Transport: $26 million
- Business services: $17 million
- Travel (including for eduction): $13 million
- Charges for the use of intellectual property: $5 million
- Financial services: $4 million
Connect to our team
For more information on Alaska’s trade with Canada, please contact our trade team in Seattle.
April 2022
- Unless otherwise mentioned, all figures are based on 2021 data in U.S. dollars.
- U.S. Census Bureau: goods trade, Canada’s export ranking (2/2022 release).
- The Trade Partnership: 2019 services exports (estimated, 11/2021 release).
- Dun + Bradstreet: Canadian-owned businesses (3/2022 release).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: median annual Alaska wage ($61,760, 3/2020 release).
- Figures may not add up due to rounding.
