Canada remains Kentucky’s top export destination; aerospace products and parts remain top export   FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 25, 2026) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Kentucky once again set an all-time record for products shipped globally, with $50.6 billion in exports in 2025. This year’s record represents a 5.65% increase over 2024. “The global demand for Kentucky-made products, made by hard-working Kentuckians right here in the commonwealth, has never been higher,” said Gov. Beshear. “For the third consecutive year we have set a new state record for exports, and that wouldn’t be possible without great companies and our hard-working and talented workforce. The commonwealth’s commitment to developing partnerships all over the globe is critical for our long-term economic success. Now more than ever, the rest of the world is realizing that you just can’t beat a Kentucky-made product.” According to data recently made available by the U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Division and WISERTrade, Canada once again led the way as Kentucky’s top export destination, with over $8.3 billion in products. The United Kingdom (nearly $5.4 billion), France (over $5.3 billion), China (more than $4.7 billion) and Mexico (nearly $4 billion) remain in the top five destinations for Kentucky-made products. Other top trade partners included Brazil, Malaysia, Singapore, Netherlands and Austria. “To ensure this success continues, we need the Trump administration to follow through with the Supreme Court ruling and roll back the tariffs,” said Gov. Beshear. “These trade partnerships bring Kentucky-made products to the world, and it helps everyone involved to see that these exports continue to grow.” Aerospace products and parts remained Kentucky’s top export in 2025. The industry shipped nearly $23 billion in products out of the United States, representing a nearly 22.2% increase over the previous year. Industrial machinery, motor vehicles and pharmaceuticals/medicines remain among Kentucky’s leading exports. Industrial machinery saw $5.7 billion in products distributed while $4.6 billion worth of motor vehicles/parts and $3.6 billion worth of pharmaceuticals were shipped globally. Kentucky’s export growth furthers what has been the best six-year period for economic growth in state history. Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,300 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $45 billion in announced investments, creating more than 68,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history and $24 billion more than the next highest total. Gov. Beshear has announced some of the largest economic development projects in state history, which have solidified Kentucky as the battery capital of the United States: AESC’s $2 billion, 2,000-job gigafactory project in Warren County; Ford Motor Co.’s $2 billion, 2,200-job commitment in Louisville, as well as its $2 billion, 2,100-job project at the Kentucky 1 plant in Hardin County; Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing’s $712 million investment, creating 1,572 jobs in Shelby County; and Toyota’s $1.3 billion investment in Scott County, among others. The Governor’s administration also secured the largest General Fund budget surplus and Rainy Day Fund. In 2023, Kentucky recorded over 2 million jobs filled for the first time ever and has stayed above that number ever since. Kentucky also secured rating increases from major credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings, SP Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service. Last year, Site Selection magazine ranked Kentucky in the top five nationally and second in the South Central region for economic development projects per capita in its 2024 Governor’s Cup rankings. Site Selection also placed Kentucky second in the South Central region and No. 6 nationally in its 2025 Prosperity Cup ranking, which recognizes state-level economic development agencies for their success in landing capital investment projects. Gov. Beshear also announced a new initiative, called New Kentucky Home, to increase economic investment, attain and attract talent, and increase tourism across the state. For more information on Kentucky exports, visit kyexports.com. Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at NewKentuckyHome.ky.gov. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion at facebook.com/CEDkygov, on Twitter @CEDkygov, Instagram @CEDkygov and LinkedIn.  ### The post Gov. Beshear: Kentucky Tops $50 Billion in Exports in 2025, Setting All-Time Record for Products Shipped Globally appeared first on The Lexington Times. ...read more read less