Statistics

Annual Report: No. 17 Italy- From leather to nuts

July 6th, 2006

Houston’s trade with Italy stretches beyond oil and gas products.

Unlike its commerce with other countries, Houston’s trade with Italy isn’t all about energy. Oil and chemical products play a role, but nuts and leather are also part of the mix.

The Greater Houston Customs District posted an 11 percent increase in trade with Italy in 2005 by exchanging some $2.5 billion worth of products. Imports of refined oil from Italy topped the trade list, although the value of those shipments fell 30 percent from 2004.

Houston exports of nuts and leather, however, made impressive gains. Nuts, which include pecans, rose 55 percent to $82 million in 2005. Texas is the country’s second-largest producer of orchard-growth pecans.

Almost $70 million-worth of leather left the Houston-Galveston Customs District en route to Italy, a 70 percent jump from a year earlier. Other markets for Texan leather are Mexico, Canada and China, the Governor’s Economic Development & Tourism Department said.

Other exports to Italy included cyclic hydrocarbons, which rose 73 percent to top $56 million, and acrylonitrile, which totaled $44 million, a decrease of 32 percent from 2004.

Italian products entering the Houston district included seamless iron tubes and pipes, which rose 114 percent to hit almost $100 million, and taps, cocks and valves for pipes and tanks, which jumped 20 percent to $92 million.

Imports of Italian glazed ceramic tiles fell nearly 10 percent to $84 million. However, imports of Italian wine exceeded $41 million, up from less than $34 million in 2004.

Houston likely to be No. 4 Customs district for 2006 (01/25/2007)

Houston exports see notable increase in third quarter (12/11/2006)

Semi-annual report: Houston growth at faster clip than most (09/08/2006)

Here comes China! Imports rise 85%, catapault it to No. 3 overall (07/07/2006)

Annual Report: No. 21 Angola- Mutual benefits (07/06/2006)

Annual Report: No. 20 Japan- Houston woos and wins Japan (07/06/2006)

Annual Report: N0. 19 Norway- Symbiotic relationship (07/06/2006)

Annual Report: No. 18 Kuwait- Embracing Mideast opportunities (07/06/2006)

Annual Report: No. 2 Venezuela - Beyond the politicians (07/06/2006)

Annual Report: No. 17 Italy- From leather to nuts (07/06/2006)

Annual Report: No. 16 France- Outpaced by oil-rich nations (07/06/2006)

Annual Report: No. 3 Nigeria - Oil lubricates market (07/06/2006)

Annual Report: No. 15 Colombia- Coffee perks up trade (07/06/2006)

Annual Report: No. 14 Belgium- Scoring with petrochemicals (07/06/2006)

Annual Report: No.13 Russia- Imports, exports, up double digits (07/06/2006)

Annual Report: No. 4 China - Trade skyrockets (07/06/2006)

Annual Report: No. 12 South Korea- Fine-tuning a trade balance (07/06/2006)

Annual Report: No. 11 Iraq- Rebuilding Iraq thanks to oil (07/06/2006)

Annual Report: No. 5 United Kingdom - Setting a fast pace in trade (07/06/2006)

Annual Report: No. 10 Algeria- Algeria ties its fortunes to oil (07/06/2006)

Annual Report: No. 6 Germany - Cars add to spark-fired trade (07/06/2006)

Annual Report: No. 9 The Netherlands- Getting a line to Europe (07/06/2006)

Annual Report: No. 7 Saudi Arabia (07/06/2006)

Annual Report: No. 8 Brazil- New U.S. gateway for Brazil (06/14/2006)

1Q: China, Algeria, Colombia lead way as trade increases 14% (06/02/2006)

Houston is the nation's fastest growing Customs district for 2005, with a 30 percent gain in total import and export value (03/15/2006)

Houston's trade surges
No surprise - it's all about the price of oil (01/01/2006)