Land transportation trade between the U.S., Canada and Mexico in May was down 35.4 percent from May 2008, the largest decline from the same month of the previous year on record
, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Surface transportation trade landed at $47.9 billion, making May the fifth consecutive month with a year-to-year decline greater than 27 percent. May imports from Canada and Mexico to the U.S. dropped 38.1 percent from May 2008, while exports from the U.S. slipped 32 percent.

The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico decreased 3.7 percent in May 2009 from April 2009.

Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. About 88 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves on land.

The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in May was down 9.9 percent compared to May 2004, a period of five years, and up 16.1 percent compared to May 1999, a period of 10 years. Imports in May were up 12 percent compared to May 1999, while exports were up 21.2 percent.

U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade totaled $29.2 billion in May, down 40.3 percent compared to May 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 35.7 percent lower in May 2009 compared to May 2008, while the value of exports carried by truck was 33.4 percent lower during this period.

U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $18.6 billion in May, down 26 percent compared to May 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 23.4 percent lower in May 2009 than May 2008 while the value of exports carried by truck was 21.1 percent lower.