Port Volume Exceeds 1 Million Tons

Port Hueneme is top banana on the West Coast for banana imports. More cars made pits stops last fiscal year at the port than ever before. And citrus exports from the port were sweet too, according to year-end figures for 1998-99.

The total amount of goods moving through the port was slightly above 1 million tons as of June 30, the close of the fiscal year.

While that amount is down slightly from 1.03 million tons the previous 12 months, it marks the second consecutive year the port has exceeded the 1-million-ton mark.

The decrease this year occurred because citrus exports slipped by 37% due to a freeze in December, said Kam Quarles, director of marketing for the Oxnard Harbor District.

“There’s a strong track record here of pretty solid growth over the last 10 years,” Quarles said.

Banana imports totaled 375,858 tons this past fiscal year, 14.5% more than the previous year. Also, car imports increased by 6.7% over the previous year to a record 144,544 vehicles. Agricultural and construction equipment volumes rose 27% to 36,693 tons. Officials say the recent conversion of a former Navy base into a cargo-handling facility contributed to the increased tonnage moving through the port.