News of the Day February 25, 2026
Wisconsin Exports Declined by Roughly 2.5% in 2025

Wisconsin companies exported $27.12 billion in goods during 2025, a decrease of $687.6 million or roughly 2.5% for the year, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The total was the state’s lowest since 2021 and marked the second consecutive year of decline.

Exports started the year on a good trend with year-over-year gains in January and March leading to a 2.1% increase for the first quarter. Starting in April, Wisconsin exports declined year-over-year for six straight months, including a 9.2% drop in April and a 7.4% drop in May. For the second quarter, exports were down 7.2% and they declined 3.4% in the third quarter. October did show a 2.6% year-over-year increase and December was up 1.8%, but a 7.6% decline in November left the state down 1% for the quarter.

Geographically, the declines were driven by some of Wisconsin’s largest trading partners.

Exports to Canada, the top destination for Wisconsin products, fell 8.6% or $706 million to $7.52 billion. It was the lowest level of exports to Canada since 2020. Exports to Mexico, the second largest destination for Wisconsin products, were down 7.1% to $4.04 billion, a decline of $309 million. Exports to China, the third largest destination for Wisconsin in 2024, declined 34.5% or $535 million to $1.02 billion. It marked the lowest level of exports to China since 2006.

Exports to the rest of Asia, on the other hand, increased 9.2% to $4.93 billion, a gain of $415 million.

Europe also saw an increase, importing 6.6% from Wisconsin to reach $6.19 billion. The Netherlands in particular drove the increase with a 29.8% increase to reach $1.04 billion. It was enough of an increase to propel the country to be the top European destination for Wisconsin products.

Exports to Germany, the top destination in 2024, decreased more than 17% or $195 million to $942 million.

Other top European destinations in 2025 included the United Kingdom, up almost 14% to $872 million, Belgium, down 5.3% to $760 million and France, down 7.6% to $384 million.

Exports to South America increased 6.4% to $1.7 billion and exports to Africa were up $132 million or 41.2% to $454 million.

Wisconsin’s exports to Australia, the fifth largest destination for the state’s products in 2024, dropped nearly 17% to $671 million for 2025. The decrease was enough to push the country down to 11^th as a destination for Wisconsin products.