That dollar amount specific to consumer-targeted exports represents 41.8% of the overall value of all US exported goods ($2.019 trillion) during 2023. That percentage lags the 43.5% for America’s consumer products exported one year earlier in 2022.
The total dollar amount for America’s top 100 exported consumer products accelerated by 8.3% year over year from 2022 to 2023 and rose by 47.5% compared to 2019.
The 5 most valuable consumer end-use goods shipped by the United States onto global markets during 2023 were exported refined petroleum oils, petroleum gases, cars, automobile parts or accessories, and smartphones. Combined, those 5 leading exports amount to 16.3% of America’s total revenues collected from selling its exports on international markets.
America’s overall shipments of all its exported products–encompassing raw materials, intermediate products as well as those classified as consumer goods–grew at a slower pace from 2019 and in fact fell year over year. Total US exports reduced in value by -2.1% in 2023 compared to 2022 but did grow by 22.9% over the 5-year period starting in 2019.
Among the top 100 consumer products exported by the United States, 60 generated more revenues year over year. The fastest cashflow increases belong to US exports of dried shelled vegetables (up 44.1% from 2022), precious or semi-precious unstrung stones (up 42%), electric storage batteries (up 30.9%), perfumes and toilet waters (up 26.9%), tractors (up 25.7%), jewelry (up 24.7%), trucks (up 21.7%), then video games and table games (up 21.5%).
Forty top US consumer exports declined year over year. The severest decliners were US export sales of nitrogenous fertilizers (down -42.5% from 2022), fertilizer mixes (down -34.3%), potassic fertilizers (down 31.3%), unwrought gold (down -29.9%), petroleum gas (down -29.8%), then corn (down -28.1%).
Exported Consumer Products Defined
So, what are consumer products? They are final goods or end products that a business mainly creates for consumers to buy. For example, consumers often purchase refined petroleum oil at the gas station while exported crude oil is an intermediate good subject to further processing before being sold to end users.
Although there may be a few wealthy individual buyers, products like turbojets are excluded from the consumer products targeted by this study. That is because turbojets are usually purchased by corporations. In contrast, it is common for consumers to buy motorcycles.
Admittedly there are some grey areas. For example, business and government entities buy exported gold in addition to consumers. On the other hand, generally fewer consumers buy platinum exports.
Types of Consumer Products
This article focuses on 3 distinct consumer product types for the exports reviewed in the article.
Convenience Products are easy to access, non-durable, have relatively lower prices and therefore consumers frequently purchase them. Examples of convenience products are food, alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks, and soap.
Shopping Products are not as easily available as convenience products, involve more time to make a buying decision, are durable and are not bought as often as most convenience products. A great example of a shopping product is a mobile phone where buying the wrong model is a much more expensive mistake than buying a stale loaf of bread.
Specialty Products describe another consumer product type. This grey area includes infrequently purchased, expensive, durable and sometimes rare items. Consumers may consider the product’s brand image when making their purchase decisions. Some examples of speciality products are gold, silver, diamonds, jewelry, and branded refrigerators and dishwashers.
US Top 100 Most Valuable Consumer Exports
The searchable international sales database below showcases America’s 100 highest value exported consumer products in descending order. Items were selected at the four-digit Harmonized System tariff classification code level.
The table’s fifth column identifies each entry’s consumer product type.
The most popular product types are shopping products (SP) via 38 entries led by cars, automobile parts or accessories, phone devices including smartphones, computers, and trucks tied with convenience products (CP) including processed petroleum oils, petroleum gas, medications, soya beans, then coal.
In third place via 24 entries is the speciality products (SY) category. Examples of major speciality products are American exports of gold, diamonds, jewelry, liquid pumps, hand-drawn paintings and drawings, then beauty makeup or skin care goods.
| # | Exported Product | US$ | 2022-3 | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Processed petroleum oils | $112,880,226,000 | -16.6% | CP |
| 2 | Petroleum gas | $67,586,423,000 | -29.8% | CP |
| 3 | Cars | $63,034,756,000 | +9% | SP |
| 4 | Automobile parts/accessories | $47,486,369,000 | +16.6% | SP |
| 5 | Phone devices including smartphones | $37,355,259,000 | +11.9% | SP |
| 6 | Medications | $34,487,462,000 | -0.4% | CP |
| 7 | Computers, optical readers | $30,553,167,000 | +7% | SP |
| 8 | Soya beans | $28,006,470,000 | -18.8% | CP |
| 9 | Gold (unwrought) | $26,042,732,000 | -29.9% | SY |
| 10 | Trucks | $22,724,864,000 | +21.7% | SP |
| 11 | Diamonds (unmounted/unset) | $16,832,826,000 | -5.4% | SY |
| 12 | Coal, solid fuels made from coal | $15,398,236,000 | -10.8% | CP |
| 13 | Computer parts, accessories | $14,068,310,000 | -18% | SP |
| 14 | Corn | $13,683,227,000 | -28.1% | CP |
| 15 | Orthopedic appliances | $13,039,106,000 | +12.6% | SP |
| 16 | Insulated wire/cable | $12,605,837,000 | +5% | SP |
| 17 | Lower-voltage switches, fuses | $12,445,033,000 | +3% | SP |
| 18 | Jewelry | $12,059,314,000 | +24.7% | SY |
| 19 | Liquid pumps | $9,374,595,000 | +9.5% | SY |
| 20 | Miscellaneous plastic items | $8,672,199,000 | +0.6% | CP |
| 21 | Hand-drawn paintings, drawings | $8,474,350,000 | +3.4% | SY |
| 22 | Electrical converters/power units | $8,142,333,000 | +13.4% | SP |
| 23 | Miscellaneous nuts | $8,079,017,000 | -0.4% | CP |
| 24 | Tractors | $7,917,360,000 | +25.7% | SP |
| 25 | Unrecorded sound media | $7,089,834,000 | -14.1% | SP |
| 26 | Plastic packing goods, lids, caps | $6,794,763,000 | +2.2% | CP |
| 27 | Miscellaneous food preparations | $6,392,541,000 | -6.4% | CP |
| 28 | Beauty/makeup/skin care | $6,249,294,000 | +4.2% | SY |
| 29 | Swine meat | $6,048,814,000 | +11.2% | CP |
| 30 | Miscellaneous iron or steel items | $5,998,063,000 | +6.1% | SP |
| 31 | Screws, bolts, washers, hooks, pins | $5,446,993,000 | +14.3% | SP |
| 32 | Electric storage batteries | $5,415,350,000 | +30.9% | SY |
| 33 | Rubber tires (new) | $5,205,554,000 | +5.2% | SP |
| 34 | Trailers | $5,019,534,000 | -11.5% | SP |
| 35 | Poultry meat | $4,886,389,000 | -9.5% | CP |
| 36 | Electric motors, not generating sets | $4,841,536,000 | +6.1% | SY |
| 37 | Packaged insecticides, herbicides | $4,738,346,000 | -12.5% | SP |
| 38 | Temperature-change machines | $4,696,509,000 | +2.1% | SY |
| 39 | Fresh or chilled beef | $4,397,154,000 | +0.4% | CP |
| 40 | Frozen beef | $4,184,551,000 | -27.8% | CP |
| 41 | Printing machinery | $4,150,600,000 | +1.4% | SP |
| 42 | Seats (not barber/dentist chairs) | $3,837,104,000 | +4.8% | SP |
| 43 | Video console games, table games | $3,699,346,000 | +21.5% | SP |
| 44 | Other organic cleaning preparations | $3,672,309,000 | -8% | CP |
| 45 | Liquid crystal/laser/optical tools | $3,530,120,000 | +2.4% | SY |
| 46 | Household base metal mountings | $3,387,109,000 | +5.2% | SY |
| 47 | Microphones/headphones/amps | $3,289,278,000 | +12.3% | SP |
| 48 | Vulcanized rubber items | $3,288,922,000 | +3.6% | SP |
| 49 | Precious/semi-precious stones (unstrung) | $3,247,083,000 | +42% | SY |
| 50 | Air conditioners | $3,028,414,000 | +1.3% | SY |
| 51 | Refrigerators, freezers | $2,930,451,000 | +2.4% | SY |
| 52 | Miscellaneous furniture | $2,826,058,000 | -5.8% | SP |
| 53 | Fertilizer mixes | $2,792,428,000 | -34.3% | SY |
| 54 | Bread, biscuits, cakes, pastries | $2,608,800,000 | +5.6% | CP |
| 55 | Alcohol (including spirits, liqueurs) | $2,532,571,000 | +3.4% | CP |
| 56 | Yachts, canoes, row boats | $2,488,406,000 | +18.6% | SP |
| 57 | Concentrated/sweetened milk | $2,462,542,000 | -25.3% | CP |
| 58 | Other pharmaceutical goods | $2,453,377,000 | +2.1% | SP |
| 59 | Paper containers, cellulose wadding | $2,329,917,000 | -3.3% | SP |
| 60 | Electric generating sets, converters | $2,253,245,000 | +14.6% | SY |
| 61 | Sauces, condiments, seasoning | $2,242,481,000 | +7.1% | CP |
| 62 | Cheese, curd | $2,195,620,000 | -4.3% | CP |
| 63 | Hot-rolled iron/non-alloy steel items | $2,148,988,000 | +7.7% | SP |
| 64 | Fuel wood, wood chips, sawdust | $2,107,163,000 | +12.7% | CP |
| 65 | Sports equipment | $2,061,534,000 | -13.7% | SP |
| 66 | Special hand/machine tools | $2,047,140,000 | -6.4% | SY |
| 67 | Rice | $2,015,459,000 | +18.3% | CP |
| 68 | Perfumes, toilet waters | $2,011,926,000 | +26.2% | CP |
| 69 | Lubricant/anti-rust preparations | $2,004,177,000 | +7.7% | SP |
| 70 | Red meat offal | $1,932,317,000 | -2.6% | CP |
| 71 | Electric water heaters, hair dryers | $1,896,711,000 | +6.5% | SY |
| 72 | Printed books, brochures | $1,846,917,000 | -7.5% | SP |
| 73 | Miscellaneous preserved fruits | $1,839,075,000 | -3.9% | CP |
| 74 | Chocolate, other cocoa preparations | $1,798,861,000 | +3.7% | CP |
| 75 | Glass mirrors | $1,789,934,000 | +15% | SP |
| 76 | Paints, varnishes | $1,756,176,000 | -0.3% | SP |
| 77 | Whole fish (frozen) | $1,713,829,000 | -15.1% | CP |
| 78 | Prepared glues, adhesives | $1,703,462,000 | -6.9% | SP |
| 79 | Miscellaneous aluminum items | $1,605,951,000 | +13.1% | SP |
| 80 | Hair preparations | $1,585,594,000 | -0.5% | SP |
| 81 | Prepared vegetables (frozen) | $1,536,970,000 | +8.7% | CP |
| 82 | Medication mixes not in dosage | $1,521,645,000 | +12.9% | CP |
| 83 | Waters with added sugar | $1,519,545,000 | +12.6% | CP |
| 84 | Other printed pictures, photos | $1,513,462,000 | -4.6% | SY |
| 85 | Original sculptures, statues | $1,465,235,000 | -13.9% | SY |
| 86 | Miscellaneous fruits (fresh) | $1,441,527,000 | +1.5% | CP |
| 87 | Dishwash, clean/dry/fill machines | $1,401,899,000 | +5.5% | SY |
| 88 | Silver (unwrought) | $1,382,596,000 | -22.5% | SY |
| 89 | Potassic fertilizers | $1,381,205,000 | -31.3% | SY |
| 90 | Malt extract, food preparations | $1,356,986,000 | +8.9% | CP |
| 91 | Fish fillets, pieces | $1,338,902,000 | +3.7% | CP |
| 92 | Cases, handbags, wallets | $1,338,270,000 | +4.3% | SP |
| 93 | Miscellaneous toys | $1,332,311,000 | -1.4% | SP |
| 94 | Shaving preparations, deodorants | $1,232,240,000 | +3.5% | SP |
| 95 | Nitrogenous fertilizers | $1,229,110,000 | -42.5% | SY |
| 96 | Wine | $1,225,679,000 | -16.3% | CP |
| 97 | Other meats (prepared/preserved) | $1,222,331,000 | -12.7% | CP |
| 98 | Dried shelled vegetables | $1,216,897,000 | +44.1% | CP |
| 99 | Bandages, gauze, dressings | $1,209,610,000 | +15.4% | CP |
| 100 | Coffee | $1,193,489,000 | -0.5% | CP |
Durable consumer products (D) are goods like cars, refrigerators and furniture that last a relatively long time. Consumers can put durable products to use again and again.
Non-durable consumer products (ND) are goods that are not re-used once consumed. Alcoholic beverages and bananas are examples of non-durable goods.
Based on the product types identified in the above table, 62 of America’s highest-value consumer exported products are durable while 38 are classified as non-durable.
You can also peruse the greatest increases or decreases in product values from 2022 to 2023. To do so, click on the heading of the fourth column.
Fastest-Growing US Consumer Exports
Listed below are the top 10 consumer products shipped by the United States that benefited from the highest percentage increases in global sales from 2022 to 2023.
- Dried shelled vegetables: Up 44.1% (US$1.22 billion)
- Precious/semi-precious stones (unstrung): Up 42% ($3.25 billion)
- Electric storage batteries: Up 30.9% ($5.42 billion)
- Perfumes, toilet waters: Up 26.2% ($2 billion)
- Tractors: Up 25.7% ($7.9 billion)
- Jewelry: Up 24.7% ($12.1 billion)
- Trucks: Up 21.7% ($22.7 billion)
- Video console games, table games: Up 21.5% ($3.7 billion)
- Yachts, canoes, row boats: Up 18.6% ($2.5 billion)
- Rice: Up 18.3% ($2 billion)
Three of the above items are non-durable goods that consumers use or consumer one time. These dried shelled vegetables, perfumes and toilet waters, and rice.
In contrast, 4 goods (tractors, trucks, video games and table games, then yachts, canoes or row boats) are considered durable shopping products.
Another 3 growth commodities (precious or semi-precious unstrung stones, electric storage batteries, and jewelry) are speciality products.
Severest-Declining US Consumer Exports
Among the top 100 US exports, America’s spending on the following 10 items resulted in the strongest declines from 2022 to 2023.
- Nitrogenous fertilizers: Down -42.5% (US$1.23 billion)
- Fertilizer mixes: Down -34.3% ($2.8 billion)
- Potassic fertilizers: Down -31.3% ($1.38 billion)
- Gold (unwrought): Down -29.9% ($26 billion)
- Petroleum gas: Down -29.8% ($67.6 billion)
- Corn: Down -28.1% ($13.7 billion)
- Frozen beef: Down -27.8% ($4.2 billion)
- Concentrated/sweetened milk: Down -25.3% ($2.5 billion)
- Silver (unwrought): Down -22.5% ($1.4 billion)
- Soya beans: Down -18.8% ($28 billion)
Fertilizers, gold and silver are speciality products, while the remaining 5 US export goods making the list of year-over-year losers are consumer products used one time only.
Key Customers for US Exports by Country
This analysis reveals competitive buyers that provide major demand for America’s top 5 consumer export products.
The biggest US exported consumer product by value are refined petroleum oils. America’s 4 other leading consumer exports are petroleum gases, cars, automotive parts or accessories, and smartphones.
Here are the main international customers for
America’s exported refined petroleum oils: Mexico (31.8% of total), Canada (11.1%), Chile (5.1%), Panama (4.5%), Peru (4%), Netherlands (3.7%), Brazil (3.6%), Guatemala (3.5%), Ecuador (3.4%), and Colombia (2.6%).
America’s exported petroleum gases: Mexico (12.2% of total), Japan (12.2%), Netherlands (8.2%), France (6.7%), mainland China (6.7%), South Korea (6.2%), United Kingdom (5.5%), Spain (4.1%), Canada (3.8%), and Germany (2.9%).
America’s exported cars: Canada (24.9% of total), Germany (14.2%), mainland China (9.9%), Mexico (7%), United Arab Emirates (6.1%), South Korea (4.2%), Belgium (3.6%), Saudi Arabia (3.4%), Australia (2%), and Japan (1.9%).
America’s exported automotive parts or accessories: Mexico (42.3% of total), Canada (33.2%), mainland China (3.1%), Germany (2.2%), Australia (1.6%), Thailand (1.4%), Brazil (also 1.4%), South Africa (1.3%), Spain (1.2%), and India (0.8%).
America’s exported phone sets including smartphones: Canada (11.9% of total), Mexico (11.6%), Hong Kong (10.6%), United Arab Emirates (6.4%), Netherlands (6.4%), Paraguay (4%), United Kingdom (3.4%), Australia (2.8%), Singapore (2.5%), and Brazil (2.4%).
Based on the above lists, Mexico and Canada appear to be America’s number one or two customer given that they are the leading international purchasers for 5 of the 5 most valuable consumer products exported from the United States of America.
See also United States Top 10 Imports, United States Top 10 Exports, Top United States Trade Balances and America’s Top 20 Export States and United States Top 10 Major Export Companies
Research Sources:
Independent insights and analysis presented in this article were based on researched facts and statistics sourced from the following educational portals.
BoyceWire, Consumer Goods Definition. Accessed on June 4, 2024
Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook: United States Economy. Accessed on June 4, 2024
Imported Consumer Products, United States Top 100 Imported Consumer Products. Accessed on June 4, 2024
International Trade Centre, Trade Map. Accessed on June 4, 2024
Investopedia, Consumer Goods, Consumer Staples Definition, Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG). Accessed on June 4, 2024
Trading Economics, United States Consumer Spending. Accessed on June 4, 2024
Wikipedia, List of largest consumer markets. Accessed on June 4, 2024