NAFTA truck trade sees first boost in 15 months

WASHINGTON — Surface transportation trade between the U.S., Canada and Mexico saw its first year-over-year boost in over a year to close out 2009.

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), NAFTA land trade in December 2009 settled 10.5 percent higher than the same month the year before, with a value of $58.5 billion.

This was the first year-over-year increase since September 2008.

However, the value of trade was still 4 percent down from December 2007.

Surface transportation with Canada specifically jumped 7.8 percent from December 2008, totaling $35.4 billion. The value of imports carried by truck was 2.3 percent lower though, compared to December 2008, while the value of exports carried by truck increased 11.2 percent during this period.

Compared to December 2004, U.S. land transportation trade with Canada and Mexico was up 12.3 percent. In addition, it was up 36.6 percent from November 1999. Imports in December were up 37 percent compared to December 1999, while exports were up 36.2 percent.