Port of Oakland export cargo volume increased 5.8 percent last month compared to November 2018, according to statistics released today. It was the second straight month export levels have risen in Oakland, the Port said. Export volume had previously climbed 10.8 percent in October.
According to Port data, Oakland handled the equivalent of 81,781 loaded export containers in November. It attributed the strong showing to increased overseas demand – primarily in Asia – for U.S. goods perceived to have high quality. It singled out American-produced farm goods, as an example.
The Port said import volume declined 7.2 percent last month compared to November 2018. Importers rushed cargo into the U.S. last year attempting to beat anticipated tariff increases.
Oakland’s total cargo volume – imports, exports and empty containers – was down 0.8 percent through the first 11 months of 2019, the Port said. It attributed the decline mostly to a 10.5 percent drop in empty container handling compared to the same period a year ago. Empties are transported each month back to Asia – Oakland’s main trade partner - to be loaded with import cargo bound for the U.S.