The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach recorded strong growth again in October, indicating that the peak-shipping season in the trans-Pacific this year had some staying power.
Containerized imports in Long Beach were up 33.5 percent compared to October 2009. Imports were up 5 percent over September 2010.
Imports in Los Angeles increased 3.19 percent compared to October 2009, which was the strongest month for imports last year. Imports in Los Angeles were down 7 percent from September 2010.
With U.S. importers shipping their holiday merchandise early this year, August will be the peak month of 2010 in the eastbound Pacific. Imports in Long Beach were down 3 percent from the August peak. Imports in Los Angeles were down 13 percent from August.
Eastbound Pacific enters the traditional slack period, exports should grow as they usually do in the winter months.
October was the busiest month of the year so far for exports from Long Beach. Exports increased 26.3 percent compared to October 2009, and they were up 9 percent over May, which was the previous high point in 2010.
Exports in Los Angeles were flat compared to October 2009, but exports were up 8 percent from September 2010.
Trade experts anticipate especially strong exports over the next five or six months, led by shipments of agricultural commodities. Crop conditions in some other exporting countries have not been favorable, and U.S. exporters are expected to step in and help satisfy growing global demand for commodities.