Asian Cargo Sets Record in Long Beach

Asian imports continued to flow through the Port of Long Beach, the largest U.S. container port, at a record pace in June. Asian imports were up 13.4% last month over June 1997. For the year, Asian imports through Long Beach are up about 16% over last year, as depressed Asian currencies make goods produced there more attractive to U.S. consumers. At the same time, U.S. exports to Asia continued to slide during June, as those same weak currencies increased the cost of American-made goods in Asia. Exports dropped 17.6% during June from the same month a year earlier. In all, Long Beach handled more than 355,000 containers during June, 10% more than in September, the busiest month of last year.