The Journal of Commerce/PIERS announced Monday that the volume of US exports of containerized goods reached the highest point in nearly three years in Q1, growing 11.6 percent over Q1 2010 and reaching one of the highest points ever recorded.
Two-foot equivalent units (TEUs) export container shipments totaled 3,006,592 in Q1-the highest level since Q2 2008, as auto parts shipments jumped 33 percent year-on-year. The total container count was also the largest ever during any first quarter since PIERS began keeping track in 1987.
Throughout Q1, China remained the largest market for US exports, followed by Japan. Exports to China were up 14 percent and the year-over-year increase of 77,030 TEU' was the largest to any single country. Exports to Japan were close behind, rising 13 percent over Q1 2010. The largest percentage gain in US exports was in goods shipped to Brazil, which grew 29 percent over last year's Q1.