Source: http://worldcityweb.com/home/MIA/statistics/view/124/

Deciphering the data

August 1st, 2006

Deciphering the data

The stories and analysis in Miami TradeNumbers begin with U.S. Census Bureau data, a treasure trove of material. The Census Bureau collects exhaustive volumes of information about the commodities that are traded around the world as well as the countries behind the exchanges with virtually every nation included.

The government figures also identify the U.S. Customs Districts that process the cargo by analysis of shipments coming and going by air, sea, rail and truck. Government data includes gas and oil flowing through cross-border pipelines.

In Miami TradeNumbers, we take that database and, using a specially designed software system, try to make sense of it. That means breaking the figures down into separate commodities and countries and for the first time with this year’s publication the individual port or airport that served as the point of entry or exit for the goods. We also investigated the “why” behind the statistics.

And we looked ahead. The stories on South Florida’s trade with Honduras and Colombia, for example, included projections on how that commerce might change when a free trade agreement is in place. Even more, we included an entire section of the magazine (pages xx-xx) in which we compile trade statistics for the first quarter of 2006 to see where the Miami Customs District is headed.

While the Census Bureau statistics provide a rich bank of data, it is important to understand how the statistics are collected and what they measure. Most of the data comes from shippers’ export declarations submitted by exporters, forwarders and carriers. Cargo figures are credited to the U.S. Customs District where the goods leave or enter the United States. That is not necessarily the place they originate or, in the case of both imports and exports, the final destination.

Some imports like apparel may be U.S.-origin goods that have been returned to the United States after processing and or assembly outside the country. They may be counted twice, as both exports and imports.

WorldCity measures the cargo based on its value, rather than volume.

Recent Reports

Beacon Council Press Release: "South Florida Global Economic Impact Study Reveals Region’s Economic Muscle" (01/17/2008)

Multinational study looks at 'revenues under management' in Greater Miami area (10/31/2007)

7th annual Miami TradeNumbers released (06/18/2007)

1st Q: Miami, led by exports, growing faster than national average (05/21/2007)

Annual trade statistics: Miami soars past $70 billion but is losing ground (02/13/2007)

Miami in danger of falling a notch, to No. 14 behind Philadelphia (02/01/2007)

Third quarter trade results: Miami headed on pace for a strong 2006 (12/11/2006)

DR-CAFTA nations help propel Miami growth (09/15/2006)

Looking ahead (08/02/2006)

Export spree boosts Miami trade (08/02/2006)

Export frenzy feeds top traders (08/02/2006)

Mid-tier traders are on the move (08/02/2006)

Tapping trade opportunities (08/02/2006)

Understanding trade’s value (08/02/2006)

Deciphering the data (08/01/2006)

rising tide (08/01/2006)

Miami-Costa Rica Annual Report: No. 5 trade partner- Med-tech goods shape trade (07/27/2006)

Miami-Honduras Annual Report: No. 6 trade partner- Apparel dominates exchange (07/27/2006)

Miami-China Annual Report: No. 7 trade partner pushing for the top spot (07/27/2006)

Miami-Colombia Annual Report: Trade with No. 4 trade partner Colombia blooms (07/27/2006)

Miami-Dominican Republic Annual Report:No. 3 Trade partners- Slowing the trade pace (07/27/2006)

Miami-Venezuela Annual Report:Win-win with No. 2 trade partner Venezuela (07/27/2006)

Miami-Brazil Annual Report: No.1 Trade Partner Brazil loses ground in South Florida (07/27/2006)

Miami-Guatemala Annual Report: No. 8 trade partner- From apparel to agro products (07/27/2006)

Miami-Chile Annual Report: No. 9 trade partner Chile posts big trade gains (07/27/2006)

Miami-El Salvador Annual Report: No. 10 trade partner- Trade holds steady (07/27/2006)

Miami-Argentina Annual Report: No. 11 trade partner- Surplus-boosting year (07/27/2006)

Miami-UK Annual Report: No. 12 trade partner- Tapping the Americas' gateway (07/27/2006)

Miami-France Annual Report: No. 13 trade partner- Global products for good living (07/27/2006)

Miami-Mexico Annual Report: No. 14 trade partner- Reaching to Yucatan Peninsula (07/27/2006)

Miami-Italy Annual Report: No. 15 trade partner- Italian luxury captivates Miami (07/27/2006)

Miami-Peru Annual Report: No. 16 trade partner- Tariff exemptions boost trade (07/27/2006)

Miami-Ecuador Annual Report: No. 17 trade partner- Keeping on the proven path (07/27/2006)

Miami-Bahamas Annual Report: No. 18 trade partner- Feeding the toursim sector (07/27/2006)

Miami-the Netherlands Annual Report: No. 19 trade partner- High-speed growth (07/27/2006)

Miami-Germany Annual Report: No. 20 trade partner- Trade with Germany climbs (07/27/2006)

Miami-Panama Annual Report: No.21 trade partner headed toward $1 billion (07/27/2006)

Miami-Japan Annual Report: No. 22 trade partner- Import hike causes trade boost (07/27/2006)

Miami-Haiti Annual Report: No. 23 trade partner- Clothing connection (07/27/2006)

Miami-Paraguay Annual Report: No. 24 trade partner riding high on exports (07/27/2006)

Miami-Spain Annual Report: No. 25 trade partner- Trade with Spain plunges (07/27/2006)

Latin America plays growing role in South Florida trade, helping fuel a $2.2 billion surplus (03/15/2006)