Agriculture products help boost Tacoma's 2011 container exports

Port of Tacoma

Increased exports of agriculture products helped boost the Port of Tacoma's full containerized export volumes by 11% in 2011.

Agriculture products account for more than half of the Port's fully containerized exports. Leading agriculture exports through Tacoma include potatoes, hops and hay.

The export of fresh or frozen potatoes through the state grew 106% in 2011 over 2010 levels, due to expanded export promotion efforts that helped fuel growth in international demand. Washington state is second behind Idaho in US potato production and leads the nation in potato exports.

The port's total container volumes reached 1,488,799 TEU, up 2% for 2011. Total international container volumes were up 5% for the year, while total domestic container volumes (Alaska and Hawaii) were down 3%. Full import container volumes increased 1% for the year, reflecting the continued overall sluggishness of the US economy.

Other 2011 trade results for the port are as follows: Breakbulk cargoes were up 68%, with industrial and agricultural equipment performing strong. Automotive trade was up 34%, reflecting the growing strength of auto sales in the US. The port handled 162,434 autos.

Log exports increased 45% and containerized lumber exports were up 33%, both driven by the construction boom in China, but grain exports were down 4%. Total tonnage was up 5% to 17,270,252 tons. < Korea Shipping Gazette >