Exporting products from the United States can be a lucrative business opportunity in 2024. However, with so many options to choose from, deciding what to export can be overwhelming. This blog post discusses the top 20 most profitable Made-in-USA export products that should provide strong returns in 2024 based on high demand, profit margins, and growth potential in foreign markets.
Below we profile each of these top 20 most lucrative Made-in-USA exports heading into 2024:
1. Medical Devices
- Export Value: $55 billion
- Profit Margin: 25%
- Major Export Markets: Europe, Japan
Advanced medical gear like MRI machines, pacemakers, diagnostics equipment and surgical tools are coveted globally for their precision, performance and innovation from American engineering.
As societies age, medical device demand sees sustainable growth worldwide especially across developed nations with robust healthcare systems like Germany, the UK, France, the Nordics and Japan. This drives strong exporter margins.
Complex, high-value medical instruments face less commoditized pricing overseas, allowing American exporters to charge premiums and capture larger margins.
2. Aircraft
- Export Value: $137 billion
- Profit Margin: 15%
- Major Export Markets: Canada, Mexico, France
Aeronautics represent a major American manufacturing sector and leading export category.
The reputation of Boeing passenger airliners and business jets, defense aircraft and other flying equipment maintains considerable cachet globally, ensuring brisk overseas demand.
Favorable domestic manufacturing economics enhances profit margins for internationally traded aircraft. Canada, Mexico and France serve as major clients.
Continuous innovation in aerospace technologies and digital aviation components will further expand aircraft exports this decade. Electric and hybrid electric flight can open new market opportunities.
3. Vehicles
- Export Value: $70 billion
- Profit Margin: 12%
- Major Export Markets: Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia
American passenger vehicles, light trucks and SUVs have endured strong overseas buyer appeal thanks to styling, performance and features.
Detroit automakers in particular have honed truck and SUV manufacturing expertise and scale, making this export niche extra profitable. Brand prestige for marques like Jeep or electric vehicle maker Tesla permits lucrative export margins above 12%.
Top destinations include Saudi Arabia where American large SUVs and pickups are especially prized, along with neighboring Canada/Mexico.
Hefty tariffs in China and Europe nonetheless drag on wider auto exports. But various Free Trade Agreements with South Korea, Japan and others help boost access and sales.
4. Oil
- Export Value: $133 billion
- Profit Margin: 65%
- Major Export Markets: Canada, Mexico, South Korea
America’s shale oil boom has transformed the country into the world’s largest petroleum producer and a major exporter of crude oil and refined oil products.
Oil exports deliver hefty profit margins over 60% thanks to market-driven commodity pricing, with any production/transport advantages flowing straight to bottom lines.
Close North American partners Mexico and Canada receive over half of total US oil exports, with South Korea another key buyer.
Growing energy ties with India also lift oil exports. And America’s rising profile as provider of “swing oil” supplies globally drives trade volumes.
5. Gas
- Export Value: $30 billion
- Profit Margin: 60%
- Major Export Markets: Japan, India, Turkey
Complementing oil shipments, exports of domestically produced natural gas have climbed steadily this past decade as more LNG terminal infrastructure gets built along the Gulf Coast.
Japan, Korea and lately India have emerged as major destinations for American LNG, as buyers seek stable gas supplies not linked to prevailing Middle East politics.
As the world’s lowest cost major gas producer thanks to productive shale basins, US exporters can supply overseas markets at high margins around 60%. Gas availability domestically also keeps inputs affordable.
Soaring gas demand across Asia and Europe this decade should propel more gas export volumes with strong profitability.
6. Jewelry
- Export Value: $15 billion
- Profit Margin: 45%
- Major Export Markets: UAE, Hong Kong, Switzerland
From precious gold and fine gemstone pieces to general fashion jewelry, external demand for American designer and branded jewelry remains solid.
Middle East gold buyers and East Asian tourism hubs drive jewelry exports profitability above 40% margins.
The perceived exclusivity and quality craftsmanship of American jewelry gift high value overseas among both consumers and B2B buyers.
Top export destinations usually feature duty-free shopping and financial services like Hong Kong, UAE and Switzerland to underpin luxury jewelry trade.
7. Travel Gear
- Export Value: $9 billion
- Profit Margin: 35%
- Major Export Markets: Germany, Japan, UK
Travel goods represent a growing export category as higher overseas incomes stimulate tourism demand and appetite for premium American brands stays robust across developed economies.
Categories like luggage, handbags, wallets, sunglasses and backpacks fetch strong margins above 30% in destinations known for luxury retail like Germany, Japan and Britain.
Higher concentrations of air travel in these markets expands exports of mobile gear. Outdoor recreation goods are also exported across Europe and Asia-Pacific given the worldwide popularity of American leisure brands.
8. Prepared Meat/Seafood
- Export Value: $22 billion
- Profit Margin: 20%
- Major Export Markets: Japan, Mexico, China
Reflecting positive quality perceptions internationally, prepared meat and seafood exports offer expansive opportunities for American producers thanks to limited domestic processing capacity among trade partners.
Canada, Japan, Mexico and China import the most processed proteins like packaged beef cuts, frozen meals, smoked salmon and crab cakes from USA.
Strict safety standards further underpins meat exports value, yielding 20%+ margins to producers selling finished meat products abroad rather than raw commodities.
As global wealth levels rise and emerging markets progressively upgrade diets, processed meat exports should realize solid returns.
9. Soybeans
- Export Value: $31 billion
- Profit Margin: 18%
- Major Export Markets: China, Mexico, Japan
Malnutrition and rising calorie intake in developing economies sustains demand for American soybeans. Finding uses in edible oils, livestock feed and tofu production, soy represents a versatile food export.
Almost 80% of total soy production gets shipped externally, with China the leading trade partner eating up $14 billion annually in purchases. Soy profit margins land around a healthy 18%.
NAFTA partners Mexico and Canada also represent key soy customers worth over $5 billion combined.
Forward sales and hedging mitigate pricing risks for soy traders, supporting export stability and profits despite weather/supply volatility.
10. Packaged Medicines
- Export Value: $82 billion
- Profit Margin: 32%
- Major Export Markets: Canada, Belgium, Japan
A world leader in pharmaceutical research and drugs manufacturing, American made compounds and formulations represent prized healthcare imports globally thanks to perceived quality.
Strict safety processes, innovative patents and brand prestige support wider profit margins approaching 30% for exported contract pharma and branded medicines abroad.
Canada, Belgium and Japan rank among leading destinations for high value added US drugs. Germany, Britain, Switzerland and Mexico also spend billions importing specialty American treatments.
Future growth in patented biologics, oncology medicines and niche drug categories should further expand profitable exports this decade.
11. Cosmetics
- Export Value: $22 billion
- Profit Margin: 55%
- Major Export Markets: China, Canada, Mexico
Motivated by brand prestige and higher discretionary incomes, overseas appetite for personal care exports like fragrances, lotions, makeup products provides lucrative upside for American manufacturers and distributors.
As a hub for cosmetic innovations and marketing, producers realize 55% margins exporting finished beauty products to developed and emerging markets.
China, Canada/Mexico and the EU are among the largest importers. Strategic retailers feature American brands through travel retail channels for Asia’s shopper traffic.
Organic and natural beauty items also fill rising demand abroad, fetching higher prices that benefit cosmetics trade profitability.
12. Wine
- Export Value: $1.5 billion
- Profit Margin: 65%
- Major Export Markets: Canada, UK, Japan
Global acclaim for West Coast vintages and a weaker dollar has propelled American wine exports 72% over the past decade.
Top importers Canada, Britain, Japan and Hong Kong present major market opportunities as their consumers respond eagerly to California cult wines and popularly priced labels from America.
Wineries realize high margins between 60-70% given overseas willingness to pay premiums for perceived quality, terroir and winemaking prestige that comes with a Napa Valley or Central Coast appellation.
Organic and lower alcohol wine styles also fill expanding niches worldwide, promising strong export growth ahead.
13. Nuts
- Export Value: $3 billion
- Profit Margin: 25%
- Major Export Markets: Netherlands, Japan, Germany
As a major tree nut exporter, America ships roughly 20% of almond, walnut and pistachio output abroad where volumes have doubled since 2010.
In-shell, roasted, flavored nuts and nut paste represents lucrative manufacturing exports thanks to the commodity’s high nutritional value and artisanal processing potential.
Netherlands, Japan and Germany lead among importers of value added American nut products, which capture 25% margins given strong global demand trends in healthier snacking and baking ingredients.
Drier California climates that enable quality nut production will further support export outlooks this decade.
14. Processed Fruit
- Export Value: $1 billion
- Profit Margin: 15%
- Major Export Markets: Netherlands, Thailand, Japan
A niche export category, processed fruits represent around 15% of overall US fruit exports, generating specialty foreign sales worth over $1 billion annually.
Dried, frozen, preserved and juice fruit maintain positive global demand uptrends as wider produce shortages develop internationally thanks to weather instability.
This bids up prices and export margins to 15% for American producers shipping to leading buyers like Netherlands, Japan and developing Asian economies.
As health consciousness rises globally, interest in packaged “superfruits” like cranberries, blueberries and tart cherries should also expand distribution.
15. Denim Jeans
- Export Value: $1 billion
- Profit Margin: 40%
- Major Export Markets: Mexico, UAE, Germany
A lifestyle staple worldwide, over $1 billion worth of American-made denim jeans and other cotton apparel gets exported profitability each year.
Their functionality, everyday wearability and aspirational brand styling maintains solid demand for US jeans across developed export markets and emerging economies.
Germany, UAE, Mexico and Colombia rank among top destinations for upmarket denim, rewarding exporters with 40%+ margins.
Culturally ingrained within modern fashion globally, the long term outlook for exported US blue jeans and associated casualwear remains highly favorable.
16. Sporting Goods
- Export Value: $3 billion
- Profit Margin: 30%
- Major Export Markets: Canada, Japan, UK
From big athletic brands like Nike, Adidas and Under Armour to leading equipment producers such as Callaway, American sporting goods carry valuable cachet internationally that translates into 30% profit margins when exported.
Innovative fabrics, elite athlete sponsorships and dominating league partnerships maintains advantage and prestige for American sporting goods labels.
Canada, Japan and select European markets eagerly spend billions importing premium-priced US balls, gear, footwear and apparel tied to aspirational sports lifestyles overseas.
Esports accessories represent an added export growth channel as gaming surges globally.
17. Passenger Vehicles
- Export Value: $70 billion
- Profit Margin: 18%
- Major Export Markets: Canada, China, Mexico
America’s lightweight truck segment domination and Detroit muscle car aura supplies automakers with enduring export advantages that permit nearly 20% margins abroad.
SUVs and pickups make up over half of US auto exports, coveted in markets like China and the Middle East for family transportation utility paired with prestige styling cues.
Hefty tariffs do hamper wider auto exports competitiveness outside NAFTA zones and developed markets. But strong truck volumes should continue driving overall vehicle export value.
Upcoming launches of electric versions for iconic nameplates like Mustang, Wrangler and Corvette provides future export upside.
18. Computers
- Export Value: $45 billion
- Profit Margin: 20%
- Major Export Markets: Mexico, UK, Japan
Whether finished consumer PCs or components like processors and storage drives, American computer products are revered internationally for quality and computing power, capturing 20%+ margins.
Mexico receiving over a third of exports thanks to cross-border supply chain links and factories.
The UK and Japan also spend heavily on premium American IT imports given favorable brand reception for both hardware and enterprise level software/services.
Emerging tech like AI, cloud, VR/AR and IoT infrastructure offer new lanes to grow profitable tech exports this decade.
19. Semiconductors
- Export Value: $80 billion
- Profit Margin: 25%
- Major Export Markets: China, Malaysia, Mexico
Vital inputs for nearly all modern gadgets and electronics, exports of microchips, wafers and semiconductor fabrication gear contributes mightily to America’s trade balance ledger.
Accounting for half of global market share, US based fab operators like Intel and foundry specialists such as TSMC supply tech manufacturers worldwide, generating $80 billion in annual foreign sales at 25% margins.
China, Mexico and Malaysia lead among top importing nations as major regional electronics hubs.
America’s sharp competitiveness at the smaller leading edge nodes down to 3 nanometers guarantees strong long term demand globally.
20. Telecom Equipment
- Export Value: $30 billion
- Profit Margin: 35%
- Major Export Markets: Mexico, UK, Netherlands
Enabling modern wireless networks and mobile services, American made antennas, routers, base stations and related telecom gear exports profitable internationally thanks rising mobile users and carriers upgrading networks to 4G and 5G connectivity specs.
Major importer Mexico sources from US producers due to geographic proximity and free trade efficiencies. Europe follows closely led by Britain and Netherlands.
Leading-edge patents and software for emerging areas like Open RAN, satellites and fixed wireless access should further lift exports and 35% profit levels.
We’ve compiled key data in an easy-to-read table format to help compare the business case for exporting these different products:
| Product Name | Profit Margin | Total Export Share % | Total Export Value | Main Export Countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Devices | 25% | 6% | $55 billion | Europe, Japan |
| Aircraft | 15% | 14% | $137 billion | Canada, Mexico, France |
| Vehicles | 12% | 10% | $70 billion | Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia |
| Oil | 65% | 8% | $133 billion | Canada, Mexico, South Korea |
| Gas | 60% | 4% | $30 billion | Japan, India, Turkey |
| Jewelry | 45% | 3% | $15 billion | UAE, Hong Kong, Switzerland |
| Travel Gear | 35% | 2% | $9 billion | Germany, Japan, UK |
| Prepared Meat/Seafood | 20% | 5% | $22 billion | Japan, Mexico, China |
| Soybeans | 18% | 13% | $31 billion | China, Mexico, Japan |
| Packaged Medicines | 32% | 7% | $82 billion | Canada, Belgium, Japan |
| Cosmetics | 55% | 4% | $22 billion | China, Canada, Mexico |
| Wine | 65% | 2% | $1.5 billion | Canada, UK, Japan |
| Nuts | 25% | 3% | $2 billion | Netherlands, Japan, Germany |
| Processed Fruit | 15% | 3% | $1 billion | Netherlands, Thailand, Japan |
| Denim Jeans | 40% | 2% | $1 billion | Mexico, UAE, Germany |
| Sporting Goods | 30% | 5% | $3 billion | Canada, Japan, UK |
| Passenger Vehicles | 18% | 15% | $70 billion | Canada, China, Mexico |
| Computers | 20% | 8% | $45 billion | Mexico, UK, Japan |
| Semiconductors | 25% | 15% | $80 billion | China, Malaysia, Mexico |
| Telecom Equipment | 35% | 6% | $30 billion | Mexico, UK, Netherlands |
This list targets the most valuable USA export products that also offer strong profit margin potential above 15% or higher.
Medical devices top the list with room to expand exports to major markets like Europe and Japan. Complex products like medical equipment often fetch higher prices and margins overseas.
Major transportation exports like aircraft, vehicles, and autos parts also feature due to steady overseas demand and the high ticket value of these industrial goods. Automotive exports alone approach nearly $140 billion in annual exports.
Commodities like oil and gas score very high margin percentages despite lower export volumes, boosted by their high base value. Bullish project energy prices should further lift exporter profits in 2024.
Consumer niches like packaged medicines, jewelry, cosmetics and wine also make the lineup, as their perceived value and brand reputation allows for premium pricing and exporter margins.
Major Asian economies, top NAFTA partners Mexico and Canada, and the EU region represent the major destination markets for highly profitable USA exports.
This summarizes our framework profiling America’s top 20 most lucrative export products and foreign markets that offer strong margin performance headed into 2024. Sourcing domestically made goods for export in these sectors provides solid avenues to generate profits abroad.
