U.S. Containerized Imports Drop 1.7 Percent in June; Weak Housing Market Hurts Consumer Goods

NEWARK, N.J., July 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Containerized ocean imports moving through U.S. seaports in June declined 1.7 percent year-over-year, but were still up 6.3 percent in the first half of the year, reports The Journal of Commerce/PIERS.

The year-over-year drop to 1,442,952 20-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) relates strongly to a 9 percent decline in furniture imports, to 142,102 TEUs, and a 21 percent decline in sheets, towels and blankets imports to 23,757 TEUs.

"Struggles in the U.S. housing market continue to stifle imports of key household-related goods, and these goods are falling more markedly now than during the first quarter," said Journal of Commerce/PIERS Economist Mario O. Moreno. He also pointed to significant declines of 15 percent in toys and 4 percent in apparel imports as signs of weakness in discretionary spending.

The year-to-date increase was due to dramatic gains in auto parts, up 15 percent to 49,950 TEUs, and tires and tubes, up 9 percent to 37,340 TEUs, as well as that of bananas and miscellaneous plastics products, he said.

Imports from Northeast Asia led the decline in June, contracting 5 percent year-over-year to 876,933 TEUs. Auto parts and construction equipment drove imports from Northern Europe up 11 percent to 141,184 TEUs.

On a country basis, imports from China, primarily household goods, fell most dramatically, down 4.2 percent year-over-year to 690,221 TEUs. Hong Kong shipments dropped 11 percent, and a sharp drop in home appliance orders pushed imports from second-ranked source country Korea down 5.5 percent to 56,940 TEUs. Notable gains came from Germany, up 17 percent, and Belgium, up 29 percent.

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To become a member of The Journal of Commerce click here. JOC members have access to our weekly print and digital magazine and Web site, as well as a 10 percent discount on all JOC events and trade shows, UBM Global Trade Directories and select PIERS products. Authoritative editorial content in the form of daily news, weekly analysis and regular features ensure our members have the information and data necessary to understand the issues facing trucking, rail and maritime transportation. Members enjoy access to "By the Numbers," an exclusive weekly compilation of key industry statistics that provides detailed views of current market trends across all modes. Regular market intelligence reports -- utilizing PIERS trade data -- include Top 100 Imports and Exporters, quarterly Top 40 Container lines, Trans-Pacific and Trans-Atlantic Maritime Forecasts and Top Container Ports and Terminals. Market-sector supplements, including Breakbulk, Cool Cargoes, 3PL, JOC Guide to Trucking and others, ensure all modes are comprehensively covered. 

About PIERS -- PIERS is the most comprehensive database of U.S. waterborne trade activity in the world providing information services to thousands of subscribers globally. Launched more than 35 years ago, PIERS was the first venture in digital global trade intelligence and quickly became the industry standard for accuracy, reliability and insight. Our unique infrastructure and proprietary technology allow us to not only publish import data but also complete coverage of U.S. export transactional data. PIERS is a division of UBM Global Trade, and a sister company of The Journal of Commerce.  For more information, visit www.piers.com, or call 800-952-3839 (+1-973-776-8660).

About UBM Global Trade -- UBM Global Trade is the leading provider of proprietary data, news, business intelligence and analytical content supporting commercial maritime, rail, trucking, warehousing and logistics industries worldwide. The company's portfolio of more than 100 online, print and interactive workflow business solutions includes The Journal of Commerce, Breakbulk, RailResource, PIERS and an array of international trade and transportation databases and directories. UBM Global Trade, a subsidiary of UBM plc, is headquartered in Newark, NJ, with offices throughout the United States. For more information, explore www.ubmglobaltrade.com or call 800-223-0243 (+1-973-848-7250 outside the U.S. or Canada).  

Contact:
Mario O. Moreno, Economist
The Journal of Commerce/PIERS
+1-973-776-7850, [email protected]

SOURCE The Journal of Commerce & PIERS

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