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.
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%.
The value of U.S.-Mexico freight totaled $44.5 billion in August 2015, down 1.4% from a year ago. The top commodity category for all modes transported was electrical machinery
Overall, the value of freight moved between the U.S. and both of its NAFTA neighbours totaled $92.4 billion – an 8.1% decline from the same time in 2014. Specifically, 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 NAFTA 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%.