In The News

Surface trade numbers for November show major Year-Over-Year drop

The value of trade using surface transportation between the U.S. and its NAFTA partners Canada and Mexico dropped 13.8 percent in November 2008 from November 2007, according to figures released by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics of the U.S. Department of Transportation.


The 13.8 percent decline, dropping to $60.7 billion, was the second largest from the same month of the previous year since North American surface freight data collection began in April 1994.


The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico fell 16.5 percent in November from October. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.


Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. About 88 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves on land.


The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in November was up 25.2 percent compared to November 2003, and up 53.6 percent compared to November 1998, a period of 10 years. Imports in November were up 52.6 percent compared to November 1998, while exports were up 54.9 percent.


U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade totaled $37.8 billion in November, down 16.4 percent compared to November 2007. The value of imports carried by truck was 24.3 percent lower in November 2008 compared to November 2007, while the value of exports carried by truck was 16.8 percent lower.


U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $22.9 billion in November, down 9.0 percent compared to November 2007. The value of imports carried by truck was 19.6 percent lower in November 2008 than November 2007 while the value of exports carried by truck was 3.4 percent higher.