BTS Data Shows August 2009 Surface Trade with Canada and Mexico Fall 24.9% from August 2008
November 2, 2009Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 24.9% lower in August 2009 than in August 2008, dropping to $54.3 billion, according to data released on October 29 by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 5.3% in August 2009 from July 2009. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.
Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail, and pipeline. Approximately 88% of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves on land according to BTS.
The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in August was up 1.3% compared to August 2004, and up 26.0% compared to August 1999, a period of 10 years. Imports in August were up 18.8% compared to August 1999, while exports were up 35.5%.
U.S. Surface Transportation with Canada
U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade totaled $32.9 billion in August, down 29.6% compared to August 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 26.1% lower in August 2009 compared to August 2008, while the value of exports carried by truck was 17.0% lower during this period. Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in August with $3.8 billion.
U.S. Surface Transportation Trade with Mexico
U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $21.3 billion in August, down 16.2% compared to August 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 13.5% lower in August 2009 than August 2008 while the value of exports carried by truck was 14.7% lower. Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in August with $7.4 billion.
Value of Monthly U.S. Surface Transportation
Trade with Canada and Mexico
Millions of U.S. Dollars
|
Month |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
Percent Change 2007-2008 |
Percent Change 2008-2009 |
|
January |
60,649 |
65,160 |
47,459 |
7.4 |
-27.2 |
|
February |
59,667 |
69,406 |
47,938 |
16.3 |
-30.9 |
|
March |
69,768 |
70,787 |
51,055 |
1.5 |
-27.9 |
|
April |
65,015 |
74,317 |
49,729 |
14.3 |
-33.1 |
|
May |
69,423 |
74,128 |
47,881 |
6.8 |
-35.4 |
|
June |
69,526 |
74,139 |
50,753 |
6.6 |
-31.5 |
|
July |
61,823 |
71,628 |
51,545 |
15.9 |
-28.0 |
|
August |
69,158 |
72,254 |
54,254 |
4.5 |
-24.9 |
|
September |
66,771 |
71,801 |
|
7.5 |
|
|
October |
74,249 |
72,683 |
|
-2.1 |
|
|
November |
70,352 |
60,661 |
|
-13.8 |
|
|
December |
60,902 |
52,910 |
|
-13.1 |
|
|
Year-to-Date |
525,028 |
571,819 |
400,614 |
8.9 |
-29.9 |
|
Annual |
797,303 |
829,875 |
|
4.1 |
|
Source: BTS TransBorder Freight Data
Note: Numbers may not add up to totals due to rounding. Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.
