Containerized imports up 8.7% in April
Rising shipments from China fueled an 8.7 percent increase in U.S. containerized imports in April, the Journal of Commerce reports citing PIERS data.
April’s increase to 1.4 million 20-foot equivalent units followed a 3 percent year-over-year decline in March. Journal of Commerce Economist Mario O. Moreno forecasts imports will grow 4.6 percent this year while exports rise 10 percent.
Imports from China rose 10 percent, or nearly 60,000 TEUs, since April 2010. Auto parts shipments from China increased 48 percent, or 3,812 TEUs, to a total of 11,803 TEUs.
U.S. Imports of Chinese footwear rose 12 percent. Despite rising production in Southeast Asia, China still accounts for about three-fourths of U.S. footwear imports.
Imports of Chinese furniture inched up 2 percent, which Moreno said reflected the troubled U.S. housing market.
Other countries whose shipments to the U.S. increased included Italy, up 23 percent, Vietnam, up 16 percent and Japan, which increased 6 percent, despite declines in auto parts, tires, and engines and motors.
The largest commodity increase was auto parts, up 25 percent, or 10,462 TEUs, followed by tires at 18 percent or 5,490 TEUs, and women’s and infant wear, up 28 percent or 6,475 TEUs. Toy imports slipped 5 percent or 1,963 TEUs from a year earlier.