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 May data once again showed continued slowing in trade activity for the state. While the May numbers show improvements on a monthly basis from April, total trade through the state’s ports was down $6.5 billion compared to May 2022. Compared to pre-pandemic levels in May 2019, origin exports were off 11.4% in real terms, and destination imports down 4.7% in real terms.
Share of Goods through US Ports
15.5%
CA Share Of Total Trade
Through US Ports
The share of total US goods trade (exports and imports) through California ports continued its decline to 15.48% (12 month moving average; compared to 15.51% in April 2023 and 16.61% in May 2022).
California remained the #2 state, behind Texas with 20.10% (compared to 20.11% in April 2023 and 18.90% in May 2022). Trade through the Atlantic port states was at 29.84% (compared to 29.8% in April 2023 and 29.78% in May 2022). The state’s position in this area forms the trade-related base for one of California’s largest centers of middle-class, blue-collar jobs. Transportation & Warehousing provided 794,200 wage and salary jobs in the most recent data for May, up from 773,200 in May 2022.
California Goods Exports
-$1.4
Billion Change In Exports
Total California goods exports were down $1.4 billion from May 2022 (down 8.3%). California remained in 2nd place with 8.8% of all US goods exports (12 month moving total), behind Texas at 22.8%.
California Goods Imports
-$6.4
Billion Change In Imports
Total California destination goods imports dropped $6.4 billion from May 2022 (down 14.5%).
Top 20 Exports, May 2023
Top 20 exports by value are shown below, along with the change from May 2022.
| NAICS Commodity |
May 2023 Exports ($b.) |
Change from May 2022 |
| Navigational/measuring/medical/control Instrument |
$0.8 |
-2.3% |
| Semiconductors & Other Electronic Components |
0.8 |
-6.3% |
| Fruits & Tree Nuts |
0.8 |
-22.5% |
| Aerospace Products & Parts |
0.7 |
-3.5% |
| Motor Vehicles |
0.7 |
183.3% |
| Computer Equipment |
0.6 |
-29.8% |
| Pharmaceuticals & Medicines |
0.6 |
-10.0% |
| Communications Equipment |
0.6 |
15.9% |
| Medical Equipment & Supplies |
0.6 |
6.8% |
| Industrial Machinery |
0.6 |
-39.2% |
| Miscellaneous Manufactured Commodities |
0.5 |
-15.6% |
| Petroleum & Coal Products |
0.5 |
-38.4% |
| Electrical Equipment & Components, Nesoi |
0.4 |
7.3% |
| Waste And Scrap |
0.4 |
-27.0% |
| Other General Purpose Machinery |
0.3 |
-0.7% |
| Commercial & Service Industry Machinery |
0.3 |
34.4% |
| Motor Vehicle Parts |
0.3 |
5.1% |
| Used Or Second-hand Merchandise |
0.3 |
-8.5% |
| Basic Chemicals |
0.3 |
-11.0% |
| Plastics Products |
0.3 |
7.8% |
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Top 10 Export Markets, May 2023
| Country |
May 2023 Exports ($b.) |
Change from May 2022 |
| Mexico |
$2.8 |
3.8% |
| Canada |
1.7 |
-8.6% |
| China |
1.5 |
-5.3% |
| Japan |
0.9 |
-13.9% |
| Korea, South |
0.9 |
-6.9% |
| Taiwan |
0.7 |
-16.9% |
| Germany |
0.5 |
-3.6% |
| Netherlands |
0.5 |
-20.2% |
| Hong Kong |
0.4 |
-5.1% |
| United Kingdom |
0.4 |
-6.1% |
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