Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Exports by County

Well, kinda. Here is a look at exports from several counties in the central part of our state...

These numbers are for 2007 (I didn't make these maps, by the way. A hardworking intern did). If you add up all counties, the total will be far below the official export total for the state. Why?

This is really company information. What we are looking at is this:

Total waterborne shipment values for all the exporting companies in each county.

Now, not all exporters will be represented here because 1) this shows us waterborne exports while most of our stuff goes to Mexico and Canada via interstate; and 2) many goods are consolidated for shipment in other states by the freight forwarders so the products are counted toward another location, probably a port. As a matter of fact, some large exporters often and purposefully export their products in such a way that they are difficult to track.

So this doesn't tell us much about the movement of state-produced goods. But its still instructive because it does tell us something about our local exporters and how they ship.

Here are some other counties...


UPDATE: You may have noticed the low number for Grady county and, like me, wondered about such a low dollar figure showing up in export data. Perhaps the fine blogger over at Okiedoke has found the answer :)

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Exports from the Cities

There is some information that allows us a glimpse at exports from the major metro areas, however the most recent available data is 2006. That year, the metropolitan area of Tulsa exported $2.2 billion in merchandise. Oklahoma City followed with $869 million in export sales, while Lawton was the origin for $9.7 million. Source: "Exports by Metro Area" Office of Trade and Industry Information, International Trade Administration

These aren't the most accurate numbers. In fact, U.S. Census quit doing a city export series. The data was so inaccurate, there was no point in continuing. There are just too many variables. For example, maybe a shipment came from a company in Oklahoma City or Okmulgee, but the freight forwarder that picked it up was based in Tulsa.

So what about the numbers above? There is probably a little more work going into it these days, ergo the year lag. Still, the ratios are probably useful in showing the difference between the cities. Even if we had 100% correct data, Tulsa is still going to show as the bigger exporter. It has more exporting companies and the Port of Catoosa. Plus, a lot of Oklahoma City goods probably go straight down to Dallas or Houston.

There is port-specific data out there. Port of Catoosa usually carries it on their website if anyone is interested. Even better, drive up there and see if they'll give you a tour :)

Monday, June 9, 2008

Economic Disruptions to the Global Economy and Trade

We have witnessed a dramatic fall in the value of the dollar, a surge in oil prices, and the worldwide financial fallout resulting from the collapse of the sub-prime mortgage market. The Spring Conference of the International Trade Data Users will address these recent economic events and their impact on global trade and investment trends. Topics include:
  • Mandatory Electronic Filing of Export Declaration Information – Impact on Data Collection and Statistical Outputs
  • The Need for Quality Trade Information by the Growing Chinese Economy – What is Available and What is Required
  • Recommendations for Standardizing Definitions of International Commodity Trade Statistics and Cargo Flows
  • The Impact of Trade Shifts on Container Cargo Logistics
Co-sponsored by the Weissman Center for International Business at Baruch College.

ITDU Conference June 17
Registration 8:00. Conference begins at 8:45
Baruch College Newman Conference Center
151 E. 25 St., Fl 7, New York
Visit the ITDU website for the detailed Agenda and Registration.
www.itdu.org

Friday, June 6, 2008

Correction to Daily Oklahoman article

I suppose this isn't exactly a correction to an article found in the Daily Oklahoman, but rather an addendum.

In the article "Oklahoma finds markets worldwide for its goods" (By Debbie Blossom, June 6, 2008) a small piece of information was excluded that could change the impression given to readers. The quote:
This is the sixth year for the report. Chamber official Mike Seney said it includes detailed statistics on Oklahoma's top exporting products and markets.

And while the numbers are impressive, the report is on the conservative side. It doesn't include products made here and then sent to other states to be assembled and shipped overseas...
Addendum: The Oklahoma Department of Commerce has been doing an international trade report for over 10 years. While the Chamber's piece is done on contract by a publishing agency in New York, the trade report done by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce is done with the cooperation of local researchers and is more detailed in trade data and the industry-specific trends preferred by economic developers. The state will also expand on the report at the request of companies for a customized analysis.

Although the state agency is cited in the article, the Oklahoma Export Report was released on the agency's website at least a week prior to the newspaper article. In fact, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce is usually first in releasing its report. However the Daily Oklahoman, typically waits until the Chamber is ready regardless of how much earlier the state report is released. The article- done every year- gives the impression that the State Chamber is the primary source of information for state international trade information.

The Daily Oklahoman has a reputation for ignoring technical contributions made by state agencies. For example, when major local investment is announced (a plant opening, new wharehouse, etc) the Daily Oklahoman will cite and interview local economic developers and attorneys when- in order to make these projects happen- the very same people lean heavily on state staff to do the bulk of the work. But we wouldn't want to distort the picture with facts.

To clarify, this blog addition isn't about the State Chamber or their information. The point I am attempting to make here is about the newspaper's ongoing practice of pretending that state government has nothing to say or no expertise. In fact, I am very familiar with the agency that produces the Chamber's report, Manzella Trade Communications, and I have nothing to say but good about their work. It is solid macro analysis and their staff is highly professional. I intend on promoting some of their upcoming media initiatives on this blog.

Download the Oklahoma Chamber's Report from this site.

Download the Oklahoma Export Report by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce from this site. If this report looks similar to some things on this blog, that's because I am one of the local analysts that puts it together.