The trend of increasing cross-border truck freight that began three-and-a-half years ago continued in April. This was largely due to a surge in computer freight at the southern border.
According to the most recent numbers from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics truck freight worth more than $90.5 million was hauled over the border in April. This was a 5% increase from March, and an 11.5% increase compared to April of 2023.
The increase in April was the largest year-over-year since January 2023 when trucking cross border freight increased by nearly 13%. Since November 2020, trucking freight in North America has been on an upward trend. There have only been three decreases: a 2.5% decrease in February 2021; a 1.0% decrease in December 2023; and a 4.5% decline in March.
The value of cross-border freight transported by trucks across the northern border of the United States has increased by 2.5% since April 2023. The value of freight at the southern border soared by 19%.
At the northern border, the top three truck commodities were computers/parts (down 0.5%), electrical machinery ($2.6billion, up 13%) and vehicles/parts. Computers/parts ($12 Billion, up 38%) were the top commodities at the Mexican border. Electrical machinery ($11.5 Billion, up 17%), vehicles/parts $7.4 Billion, and electrical machinery ($11.5Billion, up 17%) followed.
By weight, cross border freight hauled by truck increased by 9% in comparison to the previous year. It also increased by 3% in comparison to March. Since July 2022, the weight of North American truck freight has only increased six times per year. Three of these increases occurred in 2024.
Wood (up 7%), iron/steel (9%) and vehicles (10%) were the top Canadian commodities for trucking. In Mexico, the three most popular commodities were edible fruits/nuts/fruits/vegetables (up 4%), vehicles (up 10%) and edible vegetables/roots.
Total cross-border freight value reached $138 billion in April, accounting for all modes. This was an increase of 9 % compared to last year and a 3% gain compared to previous month.
April’s increase from year to year ended a downward trend which began a year earlier. In 2023, the cross-border freight fell in eight months. This included a seven-month stretch that began in March. The value of North American cargo has increased four-fold since October.
Canadian freight increased by 3% over the previous year. Mexican freight increased by 15%.
By weight, the freight crossing the border increased by 8% in comparison to April 2023. It also increased by 3% in comparison to March.
In April, all modes of freight transport except one saw an increase in freight value compared to last year: pipelines up 14%; vessels up 5%; and rails up 3%. Air freight decreased by 3%.