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Kelsea Ansfield

Analyzing August 2024 Transborder Freight Trends: Insights for Supply Chain Optimization



At Gain Consulting, we understand that staying informed about transborder freight trends is crucial for businesses operating in North America. The latest data from August 2024 highlights significant shifts in trade patterns between the United States and its neighboring countries, Canada and Mexico. This analysis provides an overview of the current landscape and what it means for supply chain stakeholders.


Overview of Transborder Freight in August 2024

In August 2024, the total transborder freight between the U.S. and North American countries amounted to $136.7 billion, reflecting a slight decline of 0.9% compared to August 2023. This overall drop masks some notable changes in freight flows between the U.S. and its two major trade partners.

  • U.S.-Canada Freight: Freight between the U.S. and Canada totaled $63.0 billion, down 6.4% year-over-year.

  • U.S.-Mexico Freight: In contrast, freight between the U.S. and Mexico rose to $73.8 billion, an increase of 4.2%. This marks the continuation of a trend where Mexico has surpassed Canada in freight dollar value for the past 18 months.


Modes of Transportation

Examining the modes of transportation reveals interesting insights:

  • Trucking: Trucks moved $90.7 billion of freight, representing a 3.3% increase from August 2023. This underscores the ongoing dominance of trucking as the preferred mode of transport for transborder freight.

  • Railways: Rail transportation accounted for $16.9 billion, which is down 4.3% from the previous year.

  • Vessels: The marine transport sector saw a significant decline, moving $9.8 billion in freight, a drop of 17.2% compared to August 2023. Notably, mineral fuel shipments via vessels decreased by 19.6%.

  • Pipelines: Freight transported by pipelines was valued at $8.9 billion, down 9.0% from the previous year.

  • Air Freight: Air transportation also experienced a downturn, with $4.7 billion moved, marking an 8.8% decrease from August 2023.


Freight Breakdown by Mode and Border


U.S.-Canada Freight Breakdown

  • Trucks: $36.0 billion

  • Rail: $8.7 billion

  • Pipelines: $8.3 billion

  • Vessels: $3.5 billion

  • Air: $2.9 billion

U.S.-Mexico Freight Breakdown

  • Trucks: $54.7 billion

  • Rail: $8.3 billion

  • Vessels: $6.3 billion

  • Air: $1.8 billion

  • Pipelines: $0.6 billion


Key Ports and Commodities

Top Truck Ports

For trade with Canada, the leading truck ports are:

  1. Detroit, MI: $9.4 billion

  2. Port Huron, MI: $6.8 billion

  3. Buffalo, NY: $6.3 billion

In terms of trade with Mexico, the primary truck ports include:

  1. Laredo, TX: $25.4 billion

  2. El Paso-Ysleta, TX: $7.5 billion

  3. Otay Mesa, CA: $5.6 billion


Top Truck Commodities

  • U.S.-Canada:

    • Computers/Parts: $6.1 billion

    • Vehicles/Parts: $4.9 billion

    • Electrical Machinery: $2.6 billion

  • U.S.-Mexico:

    • Computers/Parts: $14.0 billion

    • Electrical Machinery: $12.0 billion

    • Vehicles/Parts: $7.8 billion


Top Rail Ports and Commodities

  • U.S.-Canada Rail:

    • Detroit, MI: $2.7 billion

    • Port Huron, MI: $1.8 billion

    • Buffalo, NY: $1.0 billion

  • U.S.-Mexico Rail:

    • Laredo, TX: $4.3 billion

    • Eagle Pass, TX: $2.5 billion

    • Nogales, AZ: $0.6 billion

      Analyzing August 2024 Transborder Freight Trends: Insights for Supply Chain Optimization


Conclusion: Implications for Supply Chain Management

The data from August 2024 underscores several critical trends for businesses engaged in North American trade. The increase in freight between the U.S. and Mexico indicates a shifting economic focus, while the decline in shipments to Canada highlights potential challenges in that market.


For companies looking to optimize their supply chains, understanding these trends is essential. This may involve reevaluating logistics strategies, exploring new markets, or investing in more robust transportation options to adapt to changing demand dynamics.

As a trusted partner in supply chain consulting, Gain Consulting is here to help you navigate these complexities. By leveraging our expertise, you can position your business for success in an evolving trade environment.


For more insights and tailored strategies, feel free to reach out to us at Gain Consulting.

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