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California Trade Report
for April 2021
 

Below are highlights from the recently released trade data from the US Census Bureau and US Bureau of Economic Analysis. The data reflects the annual revision process extending back to 2016.

To view additional data and analysis related to the California economy visit our website at www.centerforjobs.org/ca.

 

 
Share of Goods Through US Ports
 
18.2%
 
CA Share of Total Trade
Through US Ports
 
 

The share of total US goods trade (exports and imports) through California ports edged down to 18.18% (12-month moving average; compared to 18.28% in March 2021 and 17.36% in April 2020).

California remained the #1 state, ahead of Texas with 16.90% (compared to 16.62% in March 2021 and 17.73% in April 2020). Trade through the Atlantic port states was at 30.59% (compared to 30.75% in March 2021 and 30.06% in April 2020). The state’s continued lead in this area forms the trade-related base for one of California’s largest centers of middle-class, blue-collar jobs. Transportation & Warehousing alone provided 689,900 jobs, up 78,000 from the year prior.

 
 
California Goods Exports Increase
 
$4.8
 
Billion Change in Exports
 
 

Total California goods exports were up $4.8 billion from April 2020 (up 46.4%). The 2020 numbers, however, reflect the sharp drops in world trade at the beginning of the pandemic period. Using April 2019 as a more “normal” year base, exports were up 7.7%, or about 1.7% annually in real terms.

California remained in 2nd place with 10.82% of all US goods exports (12-month moving total), behind Texas at 19.37%.

 
 
California's Balance for Goods Trade
 
-$22.4b
 
Billion of Goods Trade
 
 

California’s balance of goods trade activity through state businesses broadened to -$22.4 billion, compared to a level of -$16.2 billion in April 2020. California trade accounted for 27% of the US trade deficit in goods.

 
 
Top 20 Exports, April 2021
 

Top 20 exports by value are shown below, along with the change from April 2020.

The significant decline in international trade during the height of the pandemic has created skewed percentages of year-over-year trade trends. This information will be included again when the data normalizes.

 
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Top 10 Export Markets, April 2021
 
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