The Nogales Port Authority Board in Arizona has reported a substantial increase in truck traffic and the overall value of trade through the Mariposa Port since 2010.
Based on figures provided by the US Customs and Border Inspection service, an estimated US$30-35bn worth of traded goods will be transported through the Mariposa Port of Entry in 2014, compared with US$20-25bn in 2011. This represents a 50-75 per cent increase in the value of trade, said Bruce Bracker, chairman of the board of directors of the Greater Nogales-Santa Cruz County Port Authority.
The volume of truck traffic also grew by 13 per cent during the last five years, from 276,877 trucks in 2009 to 311,669 trucks in 2013.
“The growth in the dollar value of trade can be attributed to continued growth in high-value goods crossing the border in various sectors, such as automotive, mining and aerospace industries,” said Hector Suarez, incoming President of the Nogales Customs Brokers Association.
With the expansion to the Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales, the possibilities for future growth are projected to grow at an even faster rate over the next decade.
“Over the next 10 years, the international port expansion will continue to contribute to tremendous growth for our community,' said Nils Urman, representing Nogales Community Development.
“Enhanced staffing of the port, along with current investments in Mexican infrastructure, will complement the US investment in our port and expedite trade. Trade opportunities are both northbound and southbound. We will continue to see increases in export trade southbound into Mexico.”
