Small & Medium-Sized Exporting Companies:
Statistical Overview, 2009

This overview outlines the export activities of U.S. Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). Data presented here are generated from the U.S. Commerce Department's Exporter Database (EDB). Additional information on the EDB can be obtained by viewing the U.S. Census Bureau's Profile of U.S. Exporting Companies, 2008-2009.

For a more detailed explanation of the EDB please see the technical notes.

Many SMEs Stand to Profit from Future Global Trade Negotiations

The Commerce Department's Exporter Data Base (EDB) reveals that in 2009 the total number of U.S. firms exporting goods stood at 275,843. The EDB captures companies exporting merchandise, but not firms that export only services. In 2009, the number of identified exporters decreased by 4.8 percent. Also in 2009, the number of identified importers stood at 179,831, which was a decrease of 5.3 percent from 2008’s figure of 189,935.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (companies with fewer than 500 workers) would be among the major beneficiaries of U.S. initiatives to reduce foreign barriers to U.S. exports. A total of 269,269 SMEs exported from the United States in 2009, accounting for 97.6 percent of all U.S. exporters. SMEs also accounted for 97.1 percent of identified importers in 2009, with 174,612 SME companies reporting imports.

The known export revenue of SMEs fell to $308.0 billion in 2009, down 14.9 percent from 2008. SMEs were responsible for 32.8 percent of goods exports in 2009. On the import side, SMEs imported $431.3 billion in goods in 2009, which was a 21.7 percent decrease from 2008. SME imports accounted for 31.9 percent of goods exports in 2009.

Non-manufacturing companies dominate both exporting and importing by SMEs. In 2009, wholesalers and other non-manufacturing firms made up 72 percent of all SME exporters, generating 67 percent of total SME exports, and accounted for 80 percent of all SME importers.

Of those companies that engaged in trade, 78,940 both exported and imported merchandise in 2009. Of these, 74,473 were SMEs, accounting for 94.3 percent of companies that both export and import. In 2009, wholesalers and other non-manufacturing firms made up 70 percent of all SMEs that registered both exports and imports.

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SMEs Have a Global Reach

Evidence shows that many SMEs could sharply boost exports by entering new markets. In 2009, 59 percent of all SME exporters-nearly three-fifths-posted sales to only one foreign market. On the other hand, more than half-55 percent-of large firms that exported recorded sales to five or more foreign markets in 2009. This trend is also evident on the import side, with 62 percent of all SME importing goods from one foreign market, while 57 percent of large firms imported from five or more foreign markets.

Compared with large firms, SMEs are especially dependent on U.S. Government initiatives to open foreign markets. This is because, unlike big companies, most SMEs do not possess offshore business affiliates that can be used to circumvent trade barriers and gain market access. Ninety-two percent of all SME exporters do business from a single U.S. location, and only 15 percent of SME exports go to affiliates (related parties) abroad. In contrast, 11 percent of large firms that export are single-location companies and 38 percent of the exports from large firms go to foreign affiliates.

Canada is by far the most popular export destination for SMEs. In 2009, some 85,129 SME exporting companies registered sales to Canada. Mexico ranked second, receiving merchandise exports from 46,123 U.S. SMEs. Other popular markets for SME exporters that year were the United Kingdom, Germany, and China.

Together, the NAFTA countries accounted for 26 percent of U.S. merchandise exports from SMEs in 2009. Canada alone purchased $40.0 billion in merchandise exports from SMEs, followed by Mexico with $38.7 billion. Other top markets for SMEs in 2009 were China ($22.6 billion), Japan ($ 16.4 billion), the United Kingdom($14.7 billion), Germany ($10.1 billion), and the Hong Kong ($9.3 billion).

China is the most popular import partner for SMEs. In 2009, 84,614 SME importing companies registered purchases from China, totalling $124.1 billion and accounting for 29 percent of total U.S. merchandise imports to SMEs that year. Taiwan ranked second (by number of SMEs), sending merchandise to 22,889 SMEs worth $12.7 billion. Other popular markets for SME importers were Italy, Germany, and India. Together, the NAFTA countries accounted for 15 percent of U.S. merchandise imports to SMEs in 2009.

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More Firms Are Exporting to China

A total of 30,050 U.S. firms are known to have exported merchandise to China in 2009 - the last year for which data are available. The 2009 total of exporting firms is more than seven times the number in 1992, when 4,092 firms exported to China.

The number of known small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that exported to China in 2009 totaled 27,518- up from 3,143 SMEs in 1992.

Ninety-two percent of all U.S. exporters to China in 2009 were SMEs. This is up from 1992, when 77 percent of exporters to the China market were SMEs.

The number of SMEs exporting to China has been rising much faster than the number of large companies. From 1992 to 2009 the number of SMEs exporting to China surged by 776 percent, compared to 167 percent for large-company exporters.

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China is the Largest Source for Importers

A total of 87,910 U.S. firms are known to have imported merchandise from China in 2009 - the last year for which data are available. That is slightly down from the 90,360 firms that imported goods from China in 2008.

The number of known small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that imported from China in 2009 totaled 84,614, down from the 86,844 in 2008.

Ninety-six percent of all U.S. importers from China in 2009 were SMEs, unchanged from 2008.

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China is an Important Growth Market for SMEs

SMEs are known to have exported goods to China worth $22.6 billion in 2009 (i.e. exports to China that can be linked to individual companies using information on U.S. export declarations). China was the third largest market for U.S. merchandise exports from SMEs.

SMEs are responsible for a significant share of U.S. exports to China. In 2009, SMEs generated 34.5 percent - over one-third - of all known U.S. merchandise exports to China. This is higher than the SME share of overall U.S. merchandise exports of 32.8 percent.

SMEs are also known to have imported goods from China worth $124.1 billion in 2009 (i.e. exports to China that can be linked to individual companies using information on U.S. export declarations). China was the largest market for U.S. merchandise imports from SMEs.

SMEs are responsible for a significant share of U.S. imports China. In 2009, SMEs generated 44.6 percent, nearly one-half, of all known U.S. merchandise imports from China. This is far higher than the SME share of overall U.S. merchandise imports of 31.9 percent.

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