"We've been cautiously optimistic about 2017 cargo volumes and this is a solid start to the year," said port maritime director John Driscoll. "We're gratified by the continued success of our export business."
The port handled 73,352 TEU of laden boxes in January, up nine per cent year on year; up 3.6 per cent to 80,443 TEU in laden import boxes; down 10.5 per cent in export empties to 26,339 TEU and up 2.2 per cent to 17,178 TEU in import empties.
Agricultural commodities continue to drive exports, said American Shipper. Strong harvests and aggressive marketing helped boost overseas sales of California almonds last month, said the report.
Said the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association's monthly newsletter: "Today, California accounts for 100 per cent of the nation's exports of table grapes, raisins, figs, dried plums, kiwis, dates, olives and olive oil, garlic, artichokes, almonds, walnuts, and pistachios."
Said Jock O'Connell of Beacon Economics: "Oakland's share of US nut export tonnage soared between 2005 and 2015, when the port handled 81 per cent of all almond exports and 94 per cent of all walnut exports from US ports.
"That dominance was not always the case. As recently as 2005, Oakland's share of US nut exports was just 43 per cent, followed by Houston at 22 per cent, and Los Angeles/Long Beach at 18 per cent. Ten years later, Houston's share had fallen to four per cent, Los Angeles/Long Beach held steady at 18 per cent, but Oakland's jumped to almost 68 per cent," Mr O'Connell said.
The port handled 73,352 TEU of laden boxes in January, up nine per cent year on year; up 3.6 per cent to 80,443 TEU in laden import boxes; down 10.5 per cent in export empties to 26,339 TEU and up 2.2 per cent to 17,178 TEU in import empties.
Agricultural commodities continue to drive exports, said American Shipper. Strong harvests and aggressive marketing helped boost overseas sales of California almonds last month, said the report.
Said the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association's monthly newsletter: "Today, California accounts for 100 per cent of the nation's exports of table grapes, raisins, figs, dried plums, kiwis, dates, olives and olive oil, garlic, artichokes, almonds, walnuts, and pistachios."
Said Jock O'Connell of Beacon Economics: "Oakland's share of US nut export tonnage soared between 2005 and 2015, when the port handled 81 per cent of all almond exports and 94 per cent of all walnut exports from US ports.
"That dominance was not always the case. As recently as 2005, Oakland's share of US nut exports was just 43 per cent, followed by Houston at 22 per cent, and Los Angeles/Long Beach at 18 per cent. Ten years later, Houston's share had fallen to four per cent, Los Angeles/Long Beach held steady at 18 per cent, but Oakland's jumped to almost 68 per cent," Mr O'Connell said.