No. 1 Port in the Nation
The Port of Laredo is the number 1 port in the nation among more than 450 airports, seaports, and border crossings with $320 billion in total trade with the world in 2023 according to the U.S. Census Bureau data analyzed by WorldCity.
- Approximately 5,546,575 trucks crossed the border in 2022 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 7.49 percent in August from last August
Trade at Port Laredo for August increased 7.49 percent from the same month one year ago and was up 8.31 percent compared to the previous month, according to ustradenumbers.com analysis of the most recent U.S. government data.
Breaking it down, exports increased 4.64 percent compared to the same month in the previous year and were up 11.52 percent of the prior month. Imports increased 9.33 percent compared to the same month in the last year and grew 6.41 percent compared to the previous month.
Year-to-date, Port Laredo’s trade is up 5.39 percent
On a year-to-date basis, trade at Port Laredo was valued at $225.17 billion, an increase of 5.39 percent through August.
Exports totaled $86.32 billion, up 4.45 percent while imports were valued at $138.85 billion, up 5.99 percent.
The deficit at Port Laredo was $52.53 billion.
Port Laredo’s trade with top trade partner Mexico has increased 5.37 percent YTD
Port Laredo’s top five trade partners accounted for 98.84 percent of its total trade through August. By way of comparison, the United States’ top five trade partners accounted for 49.9 percent.
Taking a closer look at its leading trade partners:
- Trade with No. 1 Mexico rose 5.37 percent to $219.56 billion.
Exports rose 4.37 percent to $86.19 billion. Imports rose 6.02 percent to $133.38 billion. - Trade with No. 2 China rose 5.2 percent to $1.27 billion.
Exports rose 313.58 percent to $249,934. Imports rose 5.18 percent to $1.27 billion. - Trade with No. 3 France fell 17.92 percent to $707.16 million.
Exports rose 672.05 percent to $192,000. Imports fell 17.94 percent to $706.97 million. - Trade with No. 4 Nicaragua rose 27.32 percent to $581.2 million.
Exports rose 32327 percent to $93.54 million. Imports rose 6.89 percent to $487.66 million. - Trade with No. 5 Japan rose 4.95 percent to $429.56 million.
Exports rose 11429 percent to $8.53 million. Imports rose 2.89 percent to $421.03 million.
Port Laredo had trade surpluses with 17 countries and deficits with 120 through August. That compares with 21 surpluses and 121 deficits for the same period one year earlier. The top three surpluses through August of this year were with Moldova, $2.03 million; Panama, $1.37 million; and Ecuador, $1.07 million.The top three deficits through August of this year were with Mexico, $47.19 billion; China, $1.27 billion; and France, $706.78 million.
At this time a year ago, the top five trade partners were Mexico, China, France, Nicaragua and Japan.
By tonnage, the top five trade partners year-to-date are Mexico, Croatia, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands and Guinea.
At this time a year ago, the top five by tonnage were Mexico, Latvia, Moldova, Nigeria and Oman.
Exports Market Share
The most valuable Port Laredo export, Motor vehicle parts, has decreased 8.87 percent YTD
Port Laredo’s top five exports accounted for 21.5 percent of all its exports through August. By way of comparison, the United States’ top five exports accounted for 23.5 percent.
Here’s a closer look at the top five, by value:
- Motor vehicle parts fell 8.87 percent compared to last year to $9.68 billion.
- Gasoline, other fuels rose 2.24 percent compared to last year to $2.58 billion.
- Diesel engines rose 8.3 percent compared to last year to $2.32 billion.
- Electric storage batteries rose 526.8 percent compared to last year to $2.23 billion.
- Passenger vehicles rose 70.87 percent compared to last year to $1.75 billion.
At this time a year ago, the top five exports were Motor vehicle parts; Gasoline, other fuels; Diesel engines; Passenger vehicles; and Cell phones, related equipment.
By tonnage the top five exports year-to-date are Pig iron; Tractors; Animal, vegetable fertilizers; Misc. iron, steel tubes, pipes; and Frames, mountings for glasses, goggles.
At this time a year ago, the top five by tonnage were Dust from diamonds, natural, synthetic; Insulated wire, cable; Animal, vegetable fertilizers; Stainless steel <600mm wide; and Parachutes.
Imports Market Share
The most valuable Port Laredo import, Motor vehicle parts, has increased 4.79 percent YTD
Port Laredo’s top five imports accounted for 35.49 percent of all its imports through August. By way of comparison, the United States’ top five imports accounted for 22.72 percent.
Here’s a closer look at the top five, by value:
- Motor vehicle parts rose 4.79 percent compared to last year to $17.99 billion.
- Passenger vehicles rose 0.74 percent compared to last year to $10.3 billion.
- Commercial vehicles rose 60.42 percent compared to last year to $7.58 billion.
- Tractors fell 11.18 percent compared to last year to $6.93 billion.
- Computers rose 62.09 percent compared to last year to $6.49 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 Antirust treatments for textiles; Copper bars, rods; Automatic regulating devices; Anti-knock additives; and Video game consoles.
At this time a year ago, the top five by tonnage were Antirust treatments for textiles; Needles, bodkins, pins; Respiration equipment, etc.; Finishing agents, dye carriers; and Musical instrument parts.
Port Market Share
By value, Port Laredo was responsible for 6.42 percent of U.S. trade through August, ranking No. 1 among all ports and No. 1 among all border crossings.
Last year Port Laredo posted total trade with the world of $319.91 billion. The Port’s deficit was $73.54 billion. Exports totaled $123.18 billion and imports came to $196.73 billion.
Source: U.S. Trade Numbers
