Statistics
Exports to Afghanistan are zooming; led by aircraft, motor vehicles
October 2nd, 2006
As U.S. troops continue fighting in Afghanistan in an attempt to beat back a resurgent Taliban and track down Osama bin Laden, the Central Asian nation’s appetite for U.S. exports is nevertheless at an all-time high.
Aircraft, parts and various types of motor vehicles are leading the way.
Through the first seven months of 2006, U.S. exports to Afghanistan are up more than 80 percent from the same seven-month period of 2005, according to WorldCity analysis of the most recently released U.S. Census data. That’s about six times the overall U.S. average for export growth this year.
| Rank | July 2006 YTD | July 2005 YTD | Dollar Change | Percent Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Exports | $211,180,576 | $129,732,511 | $81,448,065 | 62.78% | |
| 1 | Aircraft parts | $48,379,054 | $7,979,718 | $40,399,336 | 506.28% |
| 2 | Aircraft | $29,800,000 | $- | $29,800,000 | NA |
| 3 | Motor vehicles for transporting people | $16,765,670 | $4,231,556 | $12,534,114 | 296.21% |
| 4 | Motor vehicles for transporting goods | $10,383,104 | $411,589 | $9,971,515 | 2422.69% |
| 5 | Misc. special purpose motor vehicles | $10,210,750 | $1,993,399 | $8,217,351 | 412.23% |
| 6 | Non-mechanical trailers | $10,190,938 | $5,464,155 | $4,726,783 | 86.51% |
| 7 | Tractors | $4,219,384 | $- | $4,219,384 | NA |
| 8 | Wheat, meslin | $4,175,765 | $10,582,472 | $(6,406,707) | -60.54% |
| 9 | Electric equipment for line telephony | $3,883,443 | $1,786,061 | $2,097,382 | 117.43% |
| 10 | Misc. iron or steel structures and parts | $3,213,204 | $1,858,965 | $1,354,239 | 72.85% |
| 11 | Self-propelled heavy construction machinery | $3,139,364 | $2,763,012 | $376,352 | 13.62% |
| 12 | X-ray apparatus | $2,974,844 | $6,242 | $2,968,602 | 47558.51% |
| 13 | Low value shipments | $2,941,009 | $2,049,680 | $891,329 | 43.49% |
| 14 | Ship's derricks, cranes, etc. | $2,774,442 | $93,854 | $2,680,588 | 2856.13% |
| 15 | Computers | $2,701,450 | $4,046,165 | $(1,344,715) | -33.23% |
The 80 percent increase is particularly impressive since Afghanistan’s trade has been growing rapidly for several years. Although it is not a particularly large trade partner with the United States, it has lifted its overall ranking from No. 134 in 2004 to No. 112.
Total trade through July was $243.8 million, with $211.2 of that in U.S. exports. That $243.8 million is particularly impressive considering the total through the same period of 2003 was just $34.5 million.
Exports are driving that growth, to be sure. The U.S. imports little from Afghanistan, giving the United States a large trade surplus. The largest import category, in fact, is a catch-all category for returned exports. Other leading imports from Afghanistan are precious stones and rugs.
The leading exports, in addition to aircraft, aircraft parts and motor vehicles are trailers, tractors and phone equipment.
The leading Customs district trading with Afghanistan is New York, followed by Los Angeles, New Orleans and Norfolk, Va.
| Rank | Total Trade | July 2006 YTD | July 2005 YTD | Dollar Change | Percent Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Districts | $243,756,487 | $162,703,292 | $81,053,195 | 49.82% | |
| 1 | New York City | $71,619,060 | $44,325,205 | $27,293,855 | 61.58% |
| 2 | Los Angeles | $37,257,390 | $4,937,804 | $32,319,586 | 654.53% |
| 3 | New Orleans | $35,046,663 | $26,961,631 | $8,085,032 | 29.99% |
| 4 | Norfolk, Virginia | $23,228,688 | $13,771,508 | $9,457,180 | 68.67% |
| 5 | Charleston, S. Carolina | $16,893,086 | $6,354,149 | $10,538,937 | 165.86% |
| 6 | Houston | $14,529,150 | $11,374,425 | $3,154,725 | 27.74% |
| 7 | Savannah, Georgia | $9,824,544 | $9,692,115 | $132,429 | 1.37% |
| 8 | Cleveland, Ohio | $9,589,598 | $11,349,254 | $(1,759,656) | -15.50% |
| 9 | Dallas | $4,512,817 | $1,805,420 | $2,707,397 | 149.96% |
| 10 | Miami | $3,453,421 | $552,569 | $2,900,852 | 524.98% |
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