WCIT Northwest Trade Dashboard

WCIT Northwest Trade Dashboard

WCIT provides its Northwest Trade Dashboard to provide a comprehensive view of the region’s international trade data – showing its impact on the economy and jobs and helping see trends develop.  The dashboard covers quarterly data on:

  • The volume of international trade by Congressional district
  • Top exports
  • Volume at all of the ports with exports*
  • Top countries for imports and exports
  • The number of jobs related to international trade
  • The total imports and exports
  • And more.

This provides insights into opportunities for growth and the impact of international trade on the state’s economy.

The WCIT Northwest Trade Dashboard is a valuable resource for businesses, policymakers, and stakeholders who are interested in tracking the state’s international trade activities. Additionally, businesses and job seekers interested in the region’s trade jobs can use this data to identify thriving industries and potential areas for job growth.

The dashboard also provides information on the top countries for imports and exports to and from the Northwest. This information can help businesses to identify new markets for their products and services as well as understand the competitive landscape and help policymakers as they weigh policy proposals.

WCIT Q3 2023 Trade Dashboard

Here are some highlights from the Northwest trade data for Q3 2023. 

Washington

  • Exports Dip: A continued dip in agricultural (-31%) and transportation equipment (-20%) exports drove an 8% overall decrease in Washington state exports for the quarter ($13.1B). A similar drop-off in agricultural and transportation equipment export value was observed from Q1 to Q2 in 2023.
  • Q3 Imports Increase: Washington state businesses imported $17.0B of goods in Q3 2023 — roughly 7% higher than in Q2 2023 and on par with historical trends.
  • Port Volume Falls: Ports in Washington state saw a 7% drop-off in trade volume in Q3 2023 compared to Q3 2022, mainly due to a sharp decrease in volume at the ports of Vancouver, Danville, and SeaTac International. However, total trade volume was 4% higher in Q3 relative to the prior quarter

Oregon

  • Exports Slightly Increase: A 29% increase in computer & electronic product exports drove a 5% overall increase in Oregon exports for the quarter ($6.9B). However, Oregon exports decreased by 19% relative to Q3 2022.
  • Imports Remain Steady: Oregon businesses imported $4.6B in Q3 2023, which was on par with the prior quarter. This total is roughly 42% lower than in Q3 3022, primarily due to significant decreases in the value of imports from Japan, Israel, South Korea, Singapore, and Ireland.
  • Port Volume Falls: Ports in Oregon saw a 19% drop-off in trade volume in Q3 2023 compared to Q3 2022, mainly due to a sharp decrease in volume at the ports of Astoria, Portland, and Coos Bay. The drop was less steep (-9%) compared to Q2 2023

Idaho

  • Exports Hold Steady: Fairly stable levels of food & kindred products exports helped to maintain Idaho state export levels between Q2 2023 and Q3 2023. Overall, Idaho exports have remained stable at about $1B per quarter since Q1 2022.
  • Q3 Imports Fall: Idaho businesses imported $1.5B of goods in Q3 2023 — roughly 21% lower than in Q3 2022. Imports to Idaho are at their lowest since Q1 2021 ($1.2B).
  • Port Volume Falls: Ports in Idaho saw a 28% decline in trade volume in Q3 2023 ($2.6B) compared to Q3 2022, brought about by a decrease in volume at the port of Eastport (-7%). Overall trade volumes declined 13% compared to Q2 2023, making Q3 2023 the lowest quarterly trade volume in Idaho since Q1 2021 ($2.2B)

Some Notes on the Data

A couple of explanatory notes on the data. The Export Volume is comprised of any goods originating in, or primarily originating in that state. Port Volume is goods entering the port and leaving the port for an international port. Goods shipped to another domestic port are not credited to the origination port but to the last domestic port before a global destination.

Given that fact, digging into these numbers demonstrates how the Northwest works together to get goods to markets. For instance, in Q3 2023, Washington state ports handled roughly $13B worth of goods that were neither produced nor consumed in Washington state – much of which originated in Idaho, Oregon, and other states adjacent to the Northwest.

Q3 2023 DASHBOARD (PDF)

  • WCIT trade data for Washington state

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