WASHINGTON, D.C. — Trade using surface transportation between Canada, the US and Mexico, was 8.2% higher in April than in April 2011, totalling $79.8 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the US Department of Transportation. 

BTS reported that the April value of US surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 7.4% from April 2008, early in the recession, and increased by 60.4% from April 2009, late in the recession.

The value of US surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in April increased by 70.5% compared to April 2002. Imports in April were up 60.2% since April 2002, while exports were up 84.3%.

In April, 86.5% of US trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved via land, 9.8% moved by vessel, and 3.7% moved by air.

The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico decreased 7.0% in April from March.

US-Canada surface transportation trade in April increased compared to April 2011 reaching $47.2 billion, a 5.6% increase.

In April, Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada at $5.9 billion, a 1.5% increase from April 2011. Of the top 10 states by value, California had the largest percentage increase over April 2011, at 23.0%.

The top commodity category transported between the US and Canada by all surface modes of transportation in April was non-railway vehicles, valued at $9.3 billion.