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 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 21.71 percent in April from last April
Trade at Port Laredo for the month of April increased 21.71 percent from the same month one year ago and was down 2.77 percent compared to the previous month, according to ustradenumbers.com analysis of the most recent U.S. government data.
Breaking it down, exports increased 10.04 percent compared to the same month in the previous year and were down 9.14 percent from the previous month. Imports increased 29.72 percent compared to the same month in the previous year and grew 1.37 percent when compared to the previous month.
Year-to-date, Port Laredo’s trade up 18.17 percent
On a year-to-date basis, trade at Port Laredo was valued at $93.01 billion, an increase of 18.17 percent through April.
Exports totaled $36.1 billion, up 13.15 percent while imports were valued at $56.91 billion, up 21.6 percent.
The deficit at Port Laredo was $20.8 billion.
As the chart at the top in the middle shows, through April, 38.82 percent of that trade at Port Laredo was an export and 61.18 percent was an import. The national average is 38.2 percent for exports and 61.8 percent for imports for the same 4 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. 10 by tonnage.
Port Laredo’s trade with top trade partner Mexico has increased 17.74 percent YTD
Port Laredo’s top five trade partners accounted for 98.98 percent of its total trade through April. By way of comparison, the United States’ top five trade partners accounted for 51.28 percent.
Taking a closer look at its leading trade partners:
- Trade with No. 1 Mexico rose 17.74 percent to $90.72 billion.
Exports rose 13.21 percent to $36.09 billion. Imports rose 20.95 percent to $54.63 billion. - Trade with No. 2 China rose 26.96 percent to $527.35 million.
Exports rose 42.3 percent to $1.3 million. Imports rose 26.93 percent to $526.06 million. - Trade with No. 3 Japan rose 127.71 percent to $359.51 million.
Exports fell 57.46 percent to $183,923. Imports rose 128.21 percent to $359.32 million. - Trade with No. 4 France rose 47.76 percent to $265.18 million.
Exports fell 83.99 percent to $6,893. Imports rose 47.79 percent to $265.18 million. - Trade with No. 5 Nicaragua rose 20.89 percent to $195.24 million.
Exports fell 56.63 percent to $3.84 million. Imports rose 25.38 percent to $191.4 million.
Port Laredo had trade surpluses with 25 countries and deficits with 91 through April. That compares with 25 surpluses and 99 deficits for the same period one year earlier. The top three surpluses through April of this year were with Costa Rica, $539,033; United Arab Emirates, $338,775; and Luxembourg, $278,729.The top three deficits through April of this year were Mexico, $18.54 billion; China, $524.76 million; and Japan, $359.14 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, China, Canada, and India.
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 34.61 percent YTD
Port Laredo’s top five exports accounted for 22.49 percent of all its exports through April. By way of comparison, the United States’ top five exports accounted for 22.37 percent.
Here’s a closer look at the top five, by value:
- Motor vehicle parts rose 34.61 percent compared to last year to $4.4 billion.
- Gasoline and other fuels fell 30.45 percent compared to last year to $1.2 billion.
- Diesel engines fell 23.75 percent compared to last year to $1.18 billion.
- Plastics rose 50.08 percent compared to last year to $778.21 million.
- Corn rose 34.56 percent compared to last year to $568.08 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 11.06 percent YTD
Port Laredo’s top five imports accounted for 32.01 percent of all its imports through April. By way of comparison, the United States’ top five imports accounted for 20.9 percent.
Here’s a closer look at the top five, by value:
- Motor vehicle parts rose 11.06 percent compared to last year to $7.02 billion.
- Passenger vehicles rose 38.88 percent compared to last year to $4.67 billion.
- Tractors rose 33.9 percent compared to last year to $2.8 billion.
- Computers rose 13.27 percent compared to last year to $1.95 billion.
- Insulated wire and cable rose 21.55 percent compared to last year to $1.77 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; Cell phones, related equipment; and Insulated wire, and cable.
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 5.46 percent of U.S. trade through April, 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.
