The Partnership sends updates for the most important economic indicators each month. If you would like to opt-in to receive these updates, please click here.

Estimated Reading Time: 1 minute

TRADE VALUE

Trade through the Houston-area seaports—Freeport, Galveston, Houston, and Texas City—was valued at $129.0 billion through June of this year, a 7.6 percent drop from $139.7 billion over the comparable period in ’22. Exports are down $11.2 billion (13.8 percent). Imports are up $0.5 billion (0.9 percent). 

VALUE

The drop in exports reflects the reduced value of crude, refined products, and organic chemicals shipments. Increases in electrical machinery, industrial machinery, and vehicle purchases helped offset decreases in crude and refined product imports.

TONNAGE

The four seaports in the metro area handled 123.4 million metric tons of cargo through June of this year, a 1.4 percent increase from the 121.7 million handled over the comparable period in ’22.  Export tonnage was up 3.2 percent; import tonnage was down 3.1 percent.

The region saw increased exports of crude, refined products, petrochemical, and plastic exports, while shipments of grain, inorganic chemicals, and beverages, spirits, and vinegar fell. 

Imports of crude, refined products, iron and steel, and wood slipped compared to last year while the region saw a bump in organic chemicals and electrical machinery shipments.

Patrick Jankowski, CERP
Chief Economist
Senior Vice President, Research
pjankowski@houston.org

Clara Richardson
Research Associate
crichardson@houston.org