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 was up 25.4 percent in September from last September
Trade at Port Laredo for the month of September increased 25.4 percent from the same month one year ago and was down 4.91 percent compared to the previous month, according to ustradenumbers.com analysis of the most recent U.S. government data.
Breaking it down, exports increased 23.16 percent compared to the same month in the previous year and were down 6.51 percent from the previous month. Imports increased 26.85 percent compared to the same month in the previous year and declined 3.87 percent when compared to the previous month.
Year-to-date, Port Laredo’s trade is up 21.70 percent
On a year-to-date basis, trade at Port Laredo was valued at $223.48 billion, an increase of 21.70 percent through September.
Exports totaled $86.7 billion, up 16.54 percent while imports were valued at $136.78 billion, up 25.22 percent.
The deficit at Port Laredo was $50.09 billion.
Port Laredo’s trade with top trade partner Mexico has increased 21.23 percent YTD
Port Laredo’s top five trade partners accounted for 98.89 percent of its total trade through September. By way of comparison, the United States’ top five trade partners accounted for 51.2 percent.
Taking a closer look at its leading trade partners:
- Trade with No. 1 Mexico rose 21.23 percent to $217.65 billion.
Exports rose 16.62 percent to $86.65 billion. Imports rose 24.49 percent to $131 billion. - Trade with No. 2 China rose 19.44 percent to $1.24 billion.
Exports rose 7.95 percent to $2.09 million. Imports rose 19.46 percent to $1.24 billion. - Trade with No. 3 Japan rose 141.02 percent to $1.01 billion.
Exports fell 51.64 percent to $409,404. Imports rose 141.41 percent to $1.01 billion. - Trade with No. 4 France rose 50.42 percent to $615.15 million.
Exports fell 9.53 percent to $63,170. Imports rose 50.43 percent to $615.08 million. - Trade with No. 5 Nicaragua rose 25.94 percent to $483.05 million.
Exports fell 38.85 percent to $10.09 million. Imports rose 28.85 percent to $472.96 million.
Port Laredo had trade surpluses with 42 countries and deficits with 105 through September. That compares with 33 surpluses and 112 deficits for the same period one year earlier. The top three surpluses through September of this year were with United Arab Emirates, $1.21 million; Panama, $1.08 million; and Luxembourg, $773,893.The top three deficits through September of this year were with Mexico, $44.35 billion; China, $1.24 billion; and Japan, $1.01 billion.
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, Chile, China and El Salvador.
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 24.73 percent YTD
Port Laredo’s top five exports accounted for 22.49 percent of all its exports through September. By way of comparison, the United States’ top five exports accounted for 23.95 percent.
Here’s a closer look at the top five, by value:
- Motor vehicle parts rose 24.73 percent compared to last year to $9.58 billion.
- Diesel engines fell 1.13 percent compared to last year to $3.41 billion.
- Gasoline and other fuels fell 3.05 percent compared to last year to $3.35 billion.
- Plastics rose 21.32 percent compared to last year to $1.83 billion.
- Corn rose 24.4 percent compared to last year to $1.34 billion.
At this time a year ago, the top five exports were Motor vehicle parts; Diesel engines; Gasoline, 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 by 20.06 percent YTD
Port Laredo’s top five imports accounted for 32.92 percent of all its imports through September. By way of comparison, the United States’ top five imports accounted for 21.41 percent.
Here’s a closer look at the top five, by value:
- Motor vehicle parts rose 20.06 percent compared to last year to $16.71 billion.
- Passenger vehicles rose 53.23 percent compared to last year to $10.9 billion.
- Tractors rose 46.23 percent compared to last year to $7.54 billion.
- Computers rose 27.76 percent compared to last year to $5.38 billion.
- Commercial vehicles rose 1.73 percent compared to last year to $4.5 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 5.59 percent of U.S. trade through September, 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 Ports deficit was $50.26 billion. Exports totaled $99.12 billion and imports came to #149.38 billion.
