No. 1 Inland Port along US-Mexico Border
The Port of Laredo is the number 1 inland port along the US-Mexico border and the nation’s third-busiest port among more than 450 airports, seaports, and border crossings with $248.5 billion in total trade with the world in 2021 according to the U.S. Census Bureau data analyzed by WorldCity.
- Approximately 5,070,357 trucks crossed the border in 2021 north and southbound
- Home to 251* freight forwarders, 656 trucking/transportation companies, and 120* U.S. Customs Brokers
- 1 Rail Bridge and 4 vehicle bridges: 2 for commercial, 3 for private vehicles
- Goods shipped through Laredo travel to more than 60 countries
* Numbers reflect ALFA & LLUSCBA members only
Port Laredo’s trade up 18.76 percent in June from last June
Trade at Port Laredo for the month of June increased 18.76 percent from the same month one year ago and was down 0.91 percent compared to the previous month, according to ustradenumbers.com analysis of the most recent U.S. government data.
Breaking it down, exports increased 16 percent compared to the same month in the previous year and were up 1.55 percent from the previous month. Imports increased 20.60 percent compared to the same month in the previous year and declined 2.44 percent when compared to the previous month.
Year-to-date, Port Laredo’s trade up 20.21 percent
On a year-to-date basis, trade at Port Laredo was valued at $145.1 billion, an increase of 20.21 percent through June.
Exports totaled $56.3 billion, up 15.17 percent while imports were valued at $88.81 billion, up 23.64 percent.
The deficit at Port Laredo was $32.51 billion.
As the chart at the top in the middle shows, through June, 38.8 percent of that trade at Port Laredo was an export and 61.2 percent was an import. The national average is 38.37 percent for exports and 61.63 percent for imports for the same 6 months of the year. Port Laredo ranked No. 3 by value among all of the nation’s 450-plus airports, seaports, and border crossings. Ranking it just against other border crossings, it ranked No. 1 by value and No. 11 by tonnage.
Port Laredo’s trade with top trade partner Mexico has increased 19.68 percent YTD
Port Laredo’s top five trade partners accounted for 98.97 percent of its total trade through June. By way of comparison, the United States’ top five trade partners accounted for 51.01 percent.
Taking a closer look at its leading trade partners:
- Trade with No. 1 Mexico rose 19.68 percent to $141.4 billion.
Exports rose 15.22 percent to $56.27 billion. Imports rose 22.83 percent to $85.13 billion. - Trade with No. 2 China rose 31.23 percent to $813.61 million.
Exports rose 16.2 percent to $1.47 million. Imports rose 31.26 percent to $812.14 million. - Trade with No. 3 Japan rose 167.27 percent to $692.86 million.
Exports fell 51.1 percent to $279,029. Imports rose 167.75 percent to $692.59 million. - Trade with No. 4 France rose 37.73 percent to $384.77 million.
Exports fell 16.18 percent to $38,930. Imports rose 37.74 percent to $384.73 million. - Trade with No. 5 Nicaragua rose 21.29 percent to $307.05 million.
Exports fell 44.1 percent to $6.79 million. Imports rose 24.58 percent to $300.25 million.
Port Laredo had trade surpluses with 31 countries and deficits with 100 through June. That compares with 26 surpluses and 107 deficits for the same period one year earlier. The top three surpluses through June of this year were with United Arab Emirates, $951,462; Panama, $841,694; and Luxembourg, $524,723.The top three deficits through June of this year were with Mexico, $28.87 billion; China, $810.67 million; and Japan, $692.31 million.
At this time a year ago, the top five trade partners were Mexico, China, Japan, France, and Nicaragua.
By tonnage, the top five trade partners year-to-date are Mexico, Nicaragua, El Salvador, China, and Canada.
At this time a year ago, the top five by tonnage were Mexico, Nicaragua, China, Israel, and India.
EXPORTS
The most valuable Port Laredo export, Motor vehicle parts, has increased 27.92 percent YTD
Port Laredo’s top five exports accounted for 22.74 percent of all its exports through June. By way of comparison, the United States’ top five exports accounted for 23.4 percent.
Here’s a closer look at the top five, by value:
- Motor vehicle parts rose 27.92 percent compared to last year to $6.45 billion.
- Diesel engines fell 5.58 percent compared to last year to $2.12 billion.
- Gasoline and other fuels fell 19.12 percent compared to last year to $2.08 billion.
- Plastics rose 45.9 percent compared to last year to $1.25 billion.
- Corn rose 25.96 percent compared to last year to $906.96 million.
At this time a year ago, the top five exports were Motor vehicle parts; Diesel engines; Gasoline, and other fuels; Plastics; and Corn.
By tonnage, the top five exports year-to-date are Motor vehicle parts; Hardware for fixtures; Transmission shafts, bearings, gears; Catalytic converters, air, oil filters; and Engine parts.
At this time a year ago, the top five by tonnage were Motor vehicle parts; Hardware for fixtures; Engine parts; Transmission shafts, bearings, and gears; and Electrical supplies <1000V.
IMPORTS
The most valuable Port Laredo import, Motor vehicle parts, has increased 15.82 percent YTD
Port Laredo’s top five imports accounted for 32.18 percent of all its imports through June. By way of comparison, the United States’ top five imports accounted for 21 percent.
Here’s a closer look at the top five, by value:
- Motor vehicle parts rose 15.82 percent compared to last year to $10.83 billion.
- Passenger vehicles rose 37.91 percent compared to last year to $7.04 billion.
- Tractors rose 29.38 percent compared to last year to $4.48 billion.
- Computers rose 23.43 percent compared to last year to $3.39 billion.
- Commercial vehicles fell 6.74 percent compared to last year to $2.84 billion.
At this time a year ago, the top five imports were Motor vehicle parts; Passenger vehicles; Tractors; Commercial vehicles; and Computers.
By tonnage, the top five imports year-to-date are Motor vehicle parts; Miscellaneous electrical machinery; Electrical boards, panels, and switches; Insulated wire, cable; and Cell phones, and related equipment.
At this time a year ago, the top five by tonnage were Insulated wire, cable; Miscellaneous electrical machinery; Motor vehicle parts; Electrical boards, panels, and switches; and Vehicle audio systems.
PORT MARKET SHARE
By value, Port Laredo was responsible for 5.51 percent of U.S. trade through June, ranking No. 3 among all ports and No. 1 among all border crossings.
Last year Port Laredo posted total trade with the world of $248.5 billion. The Port’s deficit was $50.26 billion. Exports totaled $99.12 billion and imports came to $149.38 billion.
