Trade Reports

The September numbers overall came in at strong levels as normal trade activities were affected by labor issues at other ports along the East and Gulf Coasts and in Canada. Origin exports rose 5.9% in nominal terms above the same month a year ago, while total trade through the state’s ports rose to 17.4% of the national total for the month and 16.3% on a 12-month moving average. Trade volumes also reflected continued efforts by shippers to get ahead of expected port closures as well as anticipated tariff increases in the next administration.

The August trade data again showed strong results for California and its ports as shippers continued to surge activity ahead of pending tariffs and the then-threatened East/Gulf labor actions. Origin exports rose 8.3% in nominal terms compared to prior year. Total trade activity through the state’s ports was up 13.6%, with the strongest gains in imports. The August results kept California on track to match the 2023 results in nominal terms, and close to matching in real rerms. The constant doallar terms, however, show the state slightly lagging bor the pre-pandemic and pandemic era peaks.

The July trade data showed strong results for California and its ports as shippers produced an early surge in activity in order to stay ahead of pending tariffs and potential labor actions. Origin exports rose 7.3% in nominal terms compared to a year ago. Total trade activity through the state ports accelerated by 22.7%, with the strongest increases coming from a steep rise in imports.
In nominal terms, total trade through the state’s ports in the first 5 months rose 7.9% over the year and 14.8% over pre-pandemic 2019, but still came in marginally lower than 2022.

The June trade data again showed positive news for California. Origin exports rose 1.6% in nominal terms compared to June 2023. Overall trade activity through the state ports rose 11.9% over this period as imports in particular surged 13.6% as shippers began holiday stocking early in response to rising risks of supply disruptions and looming rises in tariffs.

In nominal terms, total trade through the state’s ports in the first 5 months rose 7.9% over the year and 14.8% over pre-pandemic 2019, but still came in marginally lower than 2022.

The May trade numbers in general showed positive news for California. Both origin exports and destination imports were up compared to May 2023. In nominal dollars, total trade through the state’s ports rose in this period, and the share of total US trade, while remaining well below previous highs, continued edging up.

In nominal terms, total trade through the state’s ports in the first 5 months rose 7.9% over the year and 14.8% over pre-pandemic 2019, but still came in marginally lower than 2022.

Below are highlights from the recently released trade data from the US Census Bureau and US Bureau of Economic Analysis. The data this month includes the annual revisions affecting previous data beginning in 2019. To view additional data and analysis related to the California economy visit our website at www.centerforjobs.org/ca.

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. Total trade through the state’s ports was up $2.2 billion (3.3%) in March compared to the same period a […]

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 Baltimore bridge collapse is the latest event adding to global trade disruptions, coming on the heels of continued […]

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. Trade levels in general showed improvement as the California ports continued to recover some of the market share lost […]

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. Overall trade flows were largely stable compared to December 2022. Total trade flows through the state’s ports were off […]

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. Compared to a year ago, the November trade numbers in general show improved activity through the state’s ports.  Both […]

Overall trade levels showed some mixed results in the October data. Both origin exports and destination imports (including both goods produced/used in the state as well those identified with other states but supporting California supply chain jobs such as in wholesaling and freight forwarders) were down compared to October 2022.

Overall trade levels were off compared to September 2022, although California’s total share of trade through US ports saw a pause in its decline (on a 12-month moving basis) for the first time since March 2021.

The August trade results show a weakening in trade activity, reflecting both the challenges to trade in the state along with overall softening in the global trade numbers.

Total trade through California ports has been down in every month so far this year compared to 2022 levels, and down in every month except March when compared to pre-pandemic 2019.