California Exports Surged in September

California's ocean and air cargo exports increased by double digits in September compared to the same month last year, marking the 11th consecutive year-over-year monthly increase in the state's export trade.

According to an analysis by Beacon Economics of international trade data released Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Commerce, California's air cargo exports, in dollar terms, increased 26.5 percent over September 2009, while the dollar value of ocean exports was up 13.7 percent.

"To be sure, September 2009 did not set a very high bar for comparison purposes, but the year-to-year increase was still remarkably robust," said Jock O'Connell, Beacon's international trade adviser.

By The Numbers: Containerized Ocean Trade - Southern California Ports.

California's total export growth of 19 percent outpaced the nation as a whole. U.S. exports increased 17.9 percent over September 2009.

California's merchandise exports were up 19 percent in September while exports of agricultural goods and other non-manufactured products increased 10.7 percent. California accounted for 11.4 percent of all U.S. merchandise exports in September.

The weakening dollar should help exporters in the months ahead, but the "level of acrimony" among the world's top trading nations meeting in South Korea this week may make it difficult for the G-20 leaders to reach consensus on vexing trade policy issues, O'Connell said.

-- Contact Bill Mongelluzzo at bmongelluzzo@joc.com.