Total traffic for all imports entering U.S. ports was down 22% in week 9, 2011, compared to the same week in 2010, according to U.S. import market data compiled by Zepol Corp. For the year to date, overall traffic is up 7% over the same period in 2010.
Not a single category of imports tracked by Zepol was up in week 9. The best numbers were reported for the food sector, which was down only 7%. All other categories were down in the double-digits compared to the same week a year ago, with the steepest drops coming for electronics (down 38%) and furniture (down 40%). For the year to date, electronics, furniture and minerals & stone are all down.
Geographically, the greatest increase in activity for week 9 came at the Gulf Coast ports, where import traffic was up 44% compared to the same week in 2010. Only textile imports were down at the Gulf Coast ports. On the other hand, traffic was down by 52% at the West Coast ports, with furniture imports down significantly by 71%. Traffic at the East Coast ports was up 18%, and flat (0%) at all other U.S. ports was down 4%.