Nevada’s imports has increased a whopping 492 percent since the Great Recession, according to a new report.
A June report from National Association of Realtors shows that imports made up $6.1 million of the state’s economy back in 2008, and that has jumped to $36.1 million in 2025. Exports have also grown at a faster rate since 2008: from $6.1 million to nearly $12.6 million in 2025.
Nadia Evangelou, the principal economist and director of Real Estate Research at NAR, said the trade activity is an indicator of an evolving economy and growing population in Nevada. The Silver State has done a good job over the years of diversifying its economy away from its traditional casino and gaming sector, she said.
“Nevada’s economy looks very different compared to two decades ago. Tourism still plays a big role, but industries such as technology, manufacturing, logistics, and mining have also expanded, helping the state grow its trade activity,” she said. “The even faster growth in imports indicates that Nevada’s economy has been expanding fast, with businesses bringing in more equipment and materials, as well as its growing population increasing demand for goods.”
Import activity now makes up 12.8 percent of Nevada’s overall GDP, a number that has grown from 4.7 percent in 2008. Export activity as related to gross domestic product has stayed relatively flat however, as it was at 4.7 percent in 2008 and is now at 4.5 percent.
Nevada has also been able to bite into California’s logistics, shipping and warehouse sectors, according to a number of reports, as large businesses such as Amazon move sites out of the Golden State due to increased regulations and bureaucracy.
Nevada’s top export destination in 2025 was Mexico at $1.67 million, or 13.2 percent of the state’s overall exports, followed by Canada at $1.63 million or 12.9 percent. Close behind in third is Switzerland at $1.5 million, or 12.5 percent.
Nevada’s top country of origin for imports was by far Taiwan, at $16.3 million or 45.2 percent of overall imports.
Contact Patrick Blennerhassett at pblennerhassett@reviewjournal.com.
