Port of Oakland August Exports Up 7% from 2015

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Oakland, Calif. – Sept. 21, 2016: A year-long rally in containerized export volume is gathering momentum at the Port of Oakland.  The Port said today its export volume last month jumped 7 percent over August 2015 totals.  It was the biggest year-over-year increase since a 7.1 percent rise in April.

The Port said it has now increased export volumes seven times in eight months this year.  Oakland’s total 2016 export volume is 8.8 percent ahead of last year’s pace.

“We’ve had solid cargo production across the board,” said Maritime Director John Driscoll.  “But so far in 2016, exports are the star performers.”

The Port attributed much of the export increase to a softening U.S. dollar.  As the currency weakens, American exports become more affordable overseas.

The Port of Oakland watches export trends closely because exports make up more than half its total cargo volume.  That’s the highest ratio of any U.S. West Coast port. The Port is near California’s Central Valley and most of its wine-producing areas.  Oakland provides growers from those regions a gateway to markets in Asia.

The Port said it’s hopeful that its run of export success will continue into the fall.  Agricultural exporters are forecasting good harvests this year resulting from more plentiful rainfall last winter.

The Port reported that its total cargo volume – imports, exports and empty containers – increased 1.7 percent in August.  Import volume decreased 4.9 percent.  Oakland’s total volume through the first eight months of 2016 is up 4.6 percent over 2015.  Complete cargo statistics are available here.

About the Port of Oakland:
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport, Oakland International Airport, and 20 miles of waterfront. Together with its business partners, the Port supports more than 73,000 jobs in the region and nearly 827,000 jobs across the United States. Connect with the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport through Facebook, or with the Port on Twitter, YouTube, and at www.portofoakland.com.

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