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Below are highlights from the recently released trade data from the US Census Bureau and US Bureau of Economic Analysis. To view additional data and analysis related to the California economy visit our website at www.centerforjobs.org/ca.
The state’s trade position improved somewhat in January, with origin exports up 9.3% (6.8% real) compared to January 2022, and destination imports down 11.0% (down 11.7% real) as consumers continued to shift purchasing patterns from goods to services. In real terms, the January numbers still fall short of recovery, with origin exports down 4.3% from January 2019 and destination imports off 7.1%.
Overall, the state’s position as a trade gateway continued to erode from uncertainty coming from the protracted labor negotiations, increasing costs due to the state’s energy policies, and warehousing congestion. Total trade through the state’s ports was down 2.1% in nominal terms from the prior year. The percentage of total US trade through the state’s ports continued slipping to 15.90% compared to the near-term high of 18.27% in March 2021 and the previous high of 19.99% at the beginning of the current data series in December 2004.
Share of Goods through US Ports
15.9%
CA Share Of Total Trade
Through US Ports
The share of total US goods trade (exports and imports) through California ports continued dropping to 15.90% (12 month moving average; compared to 16.00% in December 2022 and 16.99% in January 2022).
California remained the #2 state, behind Texas with 19.83% (compared to 19.79% in December 2022 and 18.16% in January 2022). Trade through the Atlantic port states was at 29.64% (compared to 29.58% in December 2022 and 30.17% in January 2022).
California Goods Exports
$1.3
Billion Change In Exports
Total California goods exports were up $1.3 billion from January 2022 (up 9.3%). California remained in 2nd place with 8.98% of all US goods exports (12 month moving total), behind Texas at 23.39%.
California Goods Imports
-$4.5
Billion Change In Imports
Total California destination goods imports were down $4.5 billion from December 2022 (down 11.0%).
Top 20 Exports, January 2023
Top 20 exports by value are shown below, along with the change from Jan 2022.
| NAICS Commodity |
Jan 2023 Exports ($b.) |
Change from Jan 2022 |
| Pharmaceuticals & Medicines |
$2.0 |
179.0% |
| Navigational/measuring/medical/control Instrument |
0.8 |
9.2% |
| Computer Equipment |
0.7 |
-7.2% |
| Semiconductors & Other Electronic Components |
0.7 |
-18.0% |
| Aerospace Products & Parts |
0.7 |
51.5% |
| Communications Equipment |
0.7 |
32.6% |
| Fruits & Tree Nuts |
0.6 |
-3.9% |
| Petroleum & Coal Products |
0.6 |
54.3% |
| Miscellaneous Manufactured Commodities |
0.5 |
-17.1% |
| Industrial Machinery |
0.5 |
-42.1% |
| Medical Equipment & Supplies |
0.5 |
9.4% |
| Electrical Equipment & Components, Nesoi |
0.3 |
6.2% |
| Waste & Scrap |
0.3 |
-26.2% |
| Basic Chemicals |
0.3 |
-9.5% |
| Used Or Second-hand Merchandise |
0.3 |
14.9% |
| Other General Purpose Machinery |
0.3 |
-1.5% |
| Commercial & Service Industry Machinery |
0.2 |
5.1% |
| Other Fabricated Metal Products |
0.2 |
11.8% |
| Motor Vehicle Parts |
0.2 |
13.2% |
| Dairy Products |
0.2 |
3.9% |
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Top 10 Export Markets, January 2023
| NAICS Commodity |
Jan 2023 Exports ($b.) |
Change from Jan 2022 |
| Mexico |
$2.7 |
16.5% |
| United Kingdom |
1.6 |
402.0% |
| Canada |
1.5 |
5.9% |
| China |
1.1 |
-11.4% |
| Japan |
0.9 |
5.4% |
| Korea, South |
0.7 |
-26.1% |
| Taiwan |
0.7 |
-15.3% |
| Netherlands |
0.5 |
-1.9% |
| Germany |
0.5 |
2.3% |
| India |
0.4 |
-24.3% |
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