"What are some of the best sources for data on U.S. exports?" by The

Julie Nordskog (jnordskog@mail.utexas.edu)
Tue, 26 Jan 1999 13:39:31 -0600

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
--------------3AF1A0B3CA686977CC521F70
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

http://www.dismal.com/dqs/dq011899.stm

--------------3AF1A0B3CA686977CC521F70
Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii;
name="dq011899.stm"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Disposition: inline;
filename="dq011899.stm"
Content-Base: "http://www.dismal.com/dqs/dq011899.stm"
Content-Location: "http://www.dismal.com/dqs/dq011899.stm"

Dismal Questions: The Dismal Scientist Economy



Dismal Questions Previous Weeks' Questions

 

Q.

What are some of the best sources for data on U.S. exports?

A.

Exports play an important role in determining U.S. growth. Currently, the economy's trade balance (the difference between exports and imports) continues to deteriorate and to be the principal constraint on the economy's expansion. Weakening economies in Asia and other parts of the globe coupled with a strong dollar are major factors contributing to the deteriorating trade conditions. The trade deficit has doubled to over $250 billion in just over a year since the Asian economic crisis first began in the summer of 1997.

There are a number of sources of regional commodity export data, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. The most timely data release is the Census Bureau's monthly FT900 report which provides export data by commodity type, but not by destination. The commodity detail for the U.S. is a summary of codes that resemble 2-digit SIC industry codes. The commodity detail for the states is limited to two classifications, manufactured goods and nonmanufactured goods. The most recent release of this data is located here.

Another source of state data is the Massachusetts Institute of Social and Economic Research (MISER) of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. MISER produces data with a quarterly periodicity. The data are provided by country type and by 2-digit SIC code. These data can be downloaded here.

MISER currently does not produce a database of exports for metro areas. This data is available directly from the Census Bureau's International Trade Administration (ITA) which provides detailed data on country of destination and commodity type by 2 digit SIC code. The metro level series is produced with an annual periodicity and released annually. This data is located here.

Exports and imports by customs district is a final data series that is made available by the ITA. These data are intended to measure the flow of data through the nation's ports.

</TD></TR>
</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P>
<CENTER>
<IMG SRC="/icons/line.gif" HEIGHT=1 WIDTH=600>
<TABLE WIDTH=610 CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR>
<TD ROWSPAN=4 VALIGN=center ><IMG SRC="/icons/clear.gif" HEIGHT=45 WIDTH=1 ALIGN=left></TD>
<TR>
<TD><B><FONT FACE="Arial, Verdana" SIZE=2>Copyright &copy; 1999, Dismal Sciences, Inc.&reg;</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN=right><FONT FACE="Arial, Verdana" SIZE=2><I><A HREF="/thoughts/faqs.stm" target="_top">About the Dismal Scientist</A></I></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD COLSPAN=2 WIDTH=400><FONT FACE="Arial, Verdana" SIZE=2>Questions, Comments, or Inquiries to: <A HREF="mailto:webmaster@dismal.com"><I>webmaster@dismal.com</I></A> *</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD COLSPAN=2><FONT FACE="Arial, Verdana" SIZE=2><SMALL>* Note: We reserve the right to republish, sans email address, any relevant comments or questions sent to webmaster.<BR>
<FONT FACE="Arial, Verdana" SIZE=2><SMALL>The Dismal Scientist and Dismal Sciences are registered servicemarks of Dismal Sciences.</FONT></SMALL>
</TD>
<TR>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
</BODY>

--------------3AF1A0B3CA686977CC521F70--