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The Journal of Commerce Reports on Market Recovery With Annual Top 100 Importers and Exporters

Posted on: Thursday, 28 May 2009, 14:16 CDT

NEWARK, N.J., May 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite being dealt a series of economic blows, U.S. importers and exporters are holding their own, and industry observers see signs that the slump is bottoming out. The Journal of Commerce (www.joc.com) annual Top 100 Importers & Exporters Report, published May 25, reflects on the past year and looks forward, featuring commodity profiles ranging from furniture to scrap metal; a Q&A with top trade and transportation industry representatives; and an exclusive listing of top containerized importers and exporters moving their goods in and out of U.S. ports in 2008.

The JoC also reports on retail's rising stars, those companies that are revolutionizing the supply chain to survive the recession.

"As one shipper told us, this is showtime for true innovation in logistics and supply chains. We've seen the risks this economic downturn is presenting to some of the country's largest retailers, and we've also seen what some of the leading companies are doing to sharpen their supply chains, get through this cycle and come out stronger than ever," said Paul Page, editorial director of The Journal of Commerce, which is part of UBM Global Trade (www.ubmglobaltrade.com), a division of United Business Media Ltd. (www.ubm.com).

According to the JoC, one of the bright spots for importers and exporters has been the precipitous decline in ocean freight rates on all major trade lanes and the abundance of vessel capacity. Importers and exporters remain hopeful that the early signs of recovery will take hold and revive demand for their products. The JoC reports that any imports related to big-ticket items such as furniture and electronics will have to wait for a full-fledged return to economic growth and recovery of the housing market.

"Auto parts may see a boost before apparel as Americans focus on making their possessions last longer," the JoC writes.

The decline in consumer spending has had a profound effect on wastepaper, the largest containerized U.S. export, which is often recycled into packaging for products later imported into the U.S. and Europe. Scrap metal exports are rebounding quickly, in part because of China's infrastructure-heavy economic stimulus program.

Chemical exports, however, are expected to fall again this year due to the recession in overseas markets, and the outlook for agriculture is mixed, the JoC writes.

In the report's Q&A, Marianne Rowden, American Association of Exporters and Importers; Frank Vargo, National Association of Manufacturers; and Bruce Carlton, National Industrial Transportation League, discuss anticipations and concerns for the immediate future of the industry, including trade policy expectations for Congress and the Obama administration, the impact of the stimulus bill on industry, Customs changes, the investment impact of the financial industry downturn and how to best expand into new markets.

The JoC Top 100 rankings are based on data collected from PIERS Global Intelligence Solutions, a JoC sister company, and in-depth research of other industry sources. The lists offer insight into U.S. importing and exporting trends -- high-value goods coming into the country and low-value commodities going out. Wal-Mart, as it has for several years, topped the list of Top Importers. America Chung Nam, a City of Industry, Calif.-based wastepaper and recycling company, was the top exporter.

The Journal of Commerce will complete its coverage of the Top 100 Importers and Exporters with a June 23 webcast moderated by Executive Editor Joseph Bonney. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a panel of experts what forward-looking retailers are doing to improve their demand forecasting and supply chain management.

About UBM Global Trade

UBM Global Trade, formerly Commonwealth Business Media, Inc., has been the leading provider of proprietary data, news, business intelligence and analytical content supporting commercial maritime, rail, trucking, warehousing and logistics industries worldwide since 1827. The company's portfolio of more than 100 online, print and interactive workflow business solutions includes The Journal of Commerce, The Journal of Commerce Conferences, PIERS Global Intelligence Solutions and an array of international trade and transportation databases and directories. UBM Global Trade, a subsidiary of United Business Media Limited, is headquartered in East Windsor, NJ, with offices throughout the United States and in Canada and Hong Kong. For more information, explore www.ubmglobaltrade.com or call 800-221-5488 (+1-609-371-7700 outside the U.S. and Canada).

About United Business Media Limited

UBM (UBM.L) focuses on two principal activities: worldwide information distribution, targeting and monitoring, and the development and monetization of B2B communities and markets. UBM's businesses inform markets and serve professional commercial communities -- from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewelry traders, from farmers to pharmacists -- with integrated events, online, print and business information products. Our 6,500 staff in more than 30 countries is organized into specialist teams that serve these communities, bringing buyers and sellers together, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently. For more information, go to www.ubm.com.

SOURCE UBM Global Trade

Source: PR Newswire

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