By KEVIN JONES
July 29, 2010
The 39.5 percent increase was the largest percentage year-over-year increase in total U.S.-NAFTA surface trade on record, going back to April 1994.
May was the third month in the last four with a record percentage year-over-year increase.
However, the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in May 2010 remained 9.9 percent below the May 2008 level despite the 2009-2010 increase, BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported.
North American surface freight value rose 1.5 percent in May 2010 from April 2010. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors, BTS noted.
Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. In May, 86.2 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved on land.
The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in May was up 15.4 percent compared to May 2005, and up 36.2 percent compared to May 2000, a period of 10 years (Table 3). Imports in May were up 31.8 percent compared to May 2000, while exports were up 41.8 percent.
U.S.–Canada surface transportation trade totaled $40.2 billion in May, up 37.5 percent compared to May 2009. The value of imports carried by truck was 32 percent higher in May 2010 compared to May 2009, while the value of exports carried by truck was 34.5 percent higher during this period.
Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in May with $5.5 billion.
U.S.–Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $26.6 billion in May, up 42.7 percent compared to May 2009. The value of imports carried by truck was 36.1 percent higher in May 2010 than May 2009 while the value of exports carried by truck was 43.2 percent higher.
Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in May with $9.4 billion.
The TransBorder Freight Data are a unique subset of official U.S. foreign trade statistics released by the U.S. Census Bureau. New data are tabulated monthly and historical data are not adjusted for inflation. May TransBorder numbers include data received by BTS as of July 12. BTS will release June TransBorder numbers on Aug. 31.
