Monthly Update: Foreign Trade

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Foreign trade through Houston-area ports was valued at $286.0 billion in ’24, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This represents a 2.5 percent increase over ’23, but a slight decrease from the record high of $296.7 billion set in ’22. Exports increased by $9.9 billion (6.3 percent) year-over-year while imports fell by $2.9 billion (2.3 percent).

Trade with China and Mexico decreased slightly in ’24, but they remained metro Houston’s top two trading partners with $47.1 billion in combined imports and exports. Trade with the Netherlands (driven largely by crude oil exports) grew by $5.8 billion year-over-year, making it the Houston region’s third-largest trading partner. Trade with South Korea and India dropped by over 10 percent each, while trade with Brazil and Colombia increased by 10.7 and 16.1 percent respectively.

Prepared by Greater Houston Partnership Research

Colin Baker
Manager of Economic Research
bakerc@houston.org

Clara Richardson
Analyst, Research
crichardson@houston.org