US-Mexico border trading hubs continue to struggle

The El Paso port of entry ranked No. 29 for total trade through August of 2020 and 30th for the month of August.

According to FreightWaves SONAR data, outbound trucking volumes have increased sharply in Laredo and El Paso over the past week, which could result in upward pressure on rates.

Outbound volumes in Houston, McAllen, New Mexico, and San Diego either climbed moderately or dropped slightly from last week.

Other ports along the U.S.-Mexico border posting declining trade numbers from January through August include:

• Port of Port Arthur, Texas, $7.11 billion, down 48.12%.
• Port of Beaumont, Texas, $7.81 billion, down 46.45%.
• Santa Teresa port of entry, New Mexico, $15.78 billion, down 23.53%.
• Eagle Pass port of entry, Texas, $16.75 billion, down 16.47%.
• Nogales port of entry, Arizona, $15.51 billion, down 16.79%.
• Calexico/Mexicali port of entry, California, $234.75 million, down 15.43%.
• Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge, Texas, $20.88 billion, down 15.09%.
• Otay Mesa port of entry, California, $28.39 billion, down 12.52%. 
• Brownsville International Bridge, Texas, $11.25 billion, down 11.9%.

While not located on the U.S.-Mexico border, international trade at Port Houston fell 21.82%, from $107.21 billion to $83.81 billion through the first eight months of 2020.

Trade at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston fell 29.55%, from $10.08 billion to $7.1 billion from January through August, while trade at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport declined 13.68% to $33.99 billion during the same period.

For the month of August, China was the top trading partner for the U.S., totaling $51 billion in two-way trade. Mexico was second at $46.9 billion, followed by Canada at $46.6 billion.

Year to date through August, Mexico was the  top U.S. trade partner, totaling $337.48 billion. Exports totaled $134.53 billion and imports totaled $202.95 billion, a deficit of $68.42 billion.

The top exports from the U.S. to Mexico year to date include:

• Gasoline and fuels $11.54 billion, down 33% compared to 2019.
• Motor vehicle parts $7.48 billion, down 36%.
• Computer chips $7.24 billion, up 38%.
• Computer parts $4.92 billion, down 39%.

The top U.S. imports from Mexico year to date include:

• Passenger vehicles $17.27 billion, down 33% compared to 2019.
• Computers $17.1 billion, down 3%.
• Commercial vehicles $13.54 billion, down 21%.
• Motor vehicle parts $13.15 billion, down 24%.
• Oil $5.99 billion, down 30%.

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