
The value of freight moved between the U.S. and its neighbors Canada and Mexico fell in August, totaling $92.4 billion, as all modes of transportation carried less value of freight than a year earlier.
The value of freight moved between the U.S. and its neighbors Canada and Mexico fell in August, totaling $92.4 billion, thanks largely to the drop in fuel and oil prices moved by pipeline and vessel.

Percent change in value of U.S.-NAFTA freight flows by mode: August 2014 - 2015. Graphic: U.S. DOT

The value of freight moved between the U.S. and its neighbors Canada and Mexico fell in August, totaling $92.4 billion, as all modes of transportation carried less value of freight than a year earlier.
A new U.S. Transportation Department report says the 8.1% decline from the same time in 2014 came as there were large decreases in the value of commodities moved by pipeline and vessel due to the reduced prices for mineral fuel.
In August compared to a year earlier, the value of commodities moving by truck decreased by 1.8%, while rail dropped by 8.4%.
A decline in the value of freight shipments does not necessarily mean there was a lower volume of freight transported, notes the department.
Trucks carried 63.6% of U.S.-North American Free Trade Agreement freight and was the most heavily utilized mode for moving goods to and from both U.S.-NAFTA partners. Trucks accounted for $29.7 billion of the $49.8 billion of imports, or 59.6% and $29.1 billion of the $42.7 billion of exports, or 68.3%.
Rail remained the second largest mode by value, moving 15.5% of all U.S.-NAFTA freight.
U.S.-Canada Freight Falls Even More
The value of U.S.-Canada freight totaled $48 billion in August 2015, down 13.6% from August 2014, as all modes of transportation carried less value of U.S.-Canada freight than a year earlier, due to lower mineral fuel prices. Mineral fuels are a large share of freight carried by pipeline and vessel, which were down 35.1% and 40.2%, respectively, year-over-year.
In August, the top commodity category for all modes transported between the U.S. and Canada was vehicles and parts, of which $5.5 billion, or 61.1%, moved by truck.
Trucks carried 58.1% of the $48 billion of freight to and from Canada, followed by rail at 15.8%.
U.S.-Mexico Sees More Truck Freight
The value of U.S.-Mexico freight totaled $44.5 billion in August 2015, down 1.4% from a year ago, but two out of five transportation modes, rail and truck, carried more U.S.-Mexico freight by value.
The top commodity category for all modes transported between the U.S. and Mexico in August was electrical machinery, of which $8.2 billion, or 92.3%, moved by truck.
Year-over-year, the value of U.S.-Mexico rail freight rose 3.2%, the largest percentage increase of any mode. Freight carried by truck increased by 1.5%.
Trucks carried 69.6% of the $44.5 billion of freight to and from Mexico, followed by rail at 15.1%.

Speaking at the TMC Annual Meeting in Nashville, ATA President Chris Spear said trucking faces mounting pressure from rising fuel prices, geopolitical instability, and uncertainty around trade policy.
Read More →
More than 100,000 new trucking companies enter the industry each year, but regulators manage to audit only a fraction of them. That churn creates opportunities for inexperienced startups — and for “chameleon carriers” that shut down after safety violations and reappear under new identities. Read more from Deborah Lockridge in this commentary.
Read More →
HDTX is an intimate event that connects heavy-duty trucking fleet managers with industry suppliers through small-group discussions, educational sessions, and structured one-on-one meetings.
Read More →
New DAT One feature shows top-paying loads directly on an iPhone’s home screen, helping carriers react faster to spot-market opportunities.
Read More →
Optimal Dynamics says its new Scale platform uses AI agents and optimization to help carriers find and secure freight that improves network balance and profitability.
Read More →
DAT Freight & Analytics data shows tightening flatbed capacity, easing produce markets, and softening van and reefer rates.
Read More →
NACFE's Run on Less - Messy Middle project demonstrates the power of data in helping to guide the future of alternative fuels and powertrains for heavy-duty trucks.
Read More →
A federal court ruling allows New York City’s congestion pricing program to continue, leaving truck tolls in place for fleets delivering into Manhattan.
Read More →
Fontaine Modification has introduced a new customer portal designed to give fleets real-time visibility into the truck modification process, addressing one of the most common questions fleet managers face: “Where’s my truck?”
Read More →
Strong freight rates, rising volumes and tighter capacity push trucking conditions higher, though diesel prices could temper gains in the near term, FTR cautions.
Read More →