Cargo volumes at the Port of Oakland were up 5.8 percent last month, the port announced Wednesday.
The Northern California seaport handled 216,686 TEUs last month, a 5.8 percent increase from October 2019’s 204,880 TEUs. Imports for October rose 10.4 percent while exports dipped 0.5 percent year over year.
Port officials are attributing its growing import numbers to changing consumer spending habits driven by the pandemic, with much of those imports coming from Asia. Retailers are bracing for another wave of potential factory closures and are stocking up goods.
“We’re cautiously optimistic because our industry partners are pointing to continued strong import demand heading into 2021,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes. “Peak season is here, and we’re seeing retailers stocking up on as much product as possible.”
