Driving connections and community in Iowa

With 650 route-miles and 500 employees across Iowa, CPKC is a vital link for the state’s economy — moving metals, minerals, consumer goods, energy products, chemicals, plastics, and grain to markets across North America. A combination of two historic railways — Canadian Pacific (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS), CPKC has created the first and only transnational rail network in North America.

Major hubs in Ottumwa, Davenport, Dubuque, Marquette, and Mason City keep Iowa connected to global supply chains. Beyond commerce, CPKC invests in Iowa communities through its Holiday Train program, a tradition since 1999 that combines music, goodwill, and giving. In 2025, the train stopped in nine Iowa towns — from Lansing to Ottumwa — raising over $60,000 for local food banks. Every dollar stays local, helping families in need during the holiday season. Since its inception, the Holiday Train has raised $19 million and 5.4 million pounds of food across the U.S. and Canada. Trade between Canada and American means more business for Iowa and more benefit for local communities across the rail.

Canadian suppliers shine in Iowa Grocer’s brands

Iowa-based grocery retailer, Hy-Vee, is known for its store-brand products — often referred to as “private brands”. Hy-Vee offers store-owned brands such as Good Graces gluten-free products, It’s Your Churn ice cream, and Paws pet products — all manufactured by external suppliers but sold exclusively as a Hy-Vee brand. When it comes to U.S. retailers’ private brand sales, Hy-Vee ranks within the Top 10. Products from Canadian suppliers are featured in several of Hy-Vee’s private brands, including bakery and snack items as well as beverages. Hy-Vee continues to pursue new Canadian vendors for their private brands due to Canada’s innovative, high-quality products and food safety track record.

Made in the U.S. and Canada

Des Moines-based EFCO Forms designs and manufactures steel concrete forming systems for use in the construction of infrastructure projects like bridges, dams and spillways, parking garages, stadiums, treatment plants, and tunnels.

In 1966, EFCO opened its first international location, a sales and manufacturing facility in Georgetown, Ontario. The Ontario facility uses steel milled in both the U.S. and Canada, and ships finished forms to construction sites world-wide.

This is one way that partnerships between Iowa and Canada results in more demand for American steel.

Iowa exports $4.9 billion in goods to Canada annually
Iowa exports to Canada by industry

• Agriculture: 31%
• Chemicals: 18%
• Equipment & machinery: 23%
• Minerals & metals: 4%
• Plastics & rubbers: 3%
• Transportation: 18%
• Other: 3%

Top Iowa goods exports to Canada

• Beverages & alcohol: $604 million
• Tractors: $384 million
• Animal feed & food industry residues: $300 million
• Agricultural machinery: $173 million
• Meat, fish & seafood preparations: $112 million
• Plastics & plastic articles: $108 million
• Motor vehicle parts: $106 million
• Animal meats: $101 million
• Heating, cooling & refrigeration equipment: $85 million
• Hoists, derricks & lifting equipment: $84 million

Iowa exports $444 million in services to Canada annually
Top Iowa services exports to Canada

• Insurance services: $123 million
• Financial services: $111 million
• Travel (including for education): $84 million
• Business services: $49 million
• Charges for the use of intellectual property: $45 million

Iowa imports $3.2 billion in goods from Canada annually
Iowa imports from Canada by industry

• Agriculture: 22%
• Chemicals: 18%
• Energy: 3%
• Equipment & machinery: 16%
• Forest products: 5%
• Minerals & metals: 19%
• Plastics & rubbers: 4%
• Transportation: 6%
• Other: 7%

Top Iowa goods imports from Canada

• Aluminum & aluminum articles: $401 million
• Inorganic chemicals: $338 million
• Fertilizers: $202 million
• Live animals: $180 million
• Cereals: $155 million
• Plastics & plastic articles: $128 million
• Agricultural machinery: $103 million
• Natural gas & other gases: $86 million
• Paper & paperboard: $71 million
• Optical, medical & precision instruments: $66 million