Agricultural exports shipped from the port of Oakland have increased 42.7 per cent in volume since 2013, according to a statement from the port.
Port officials said that the vigorous growth reflected continued strong overseas demand for US farm goods, although they added that export growth could stall if foreign governments tax American goods in retaliation for Trump Administration tariffs.
“Overseas demand for high-quality American-grown products – especially in Asia – has never been stronger,” said Chris Lytle, the port’s executive director. “We’d be disappointed to see anything curb the gains being made by American producers.”
According to just-released data, Oakland agricultural export volumes totaled 375,727 TEUs in 2017, up from 263,218 containers just four years ago.
The Port said that California producers accounted for 55 per cent of Oakland farm shipments last year. Japan, China and South Korea were the top-three export destinations.
