Dow reported its earnings today with some very encouraging news for the rest of the economy. While the company earned 43 cents per share compared to Wall Street projections of 30 cents per share, it was the plastics division that shined in the first quarter of 2010 according to the Associated Press. This is important news for any company involved in international trade, as plastics are a leading indicator because of a number of factors.

Plastics products, like those that increased Dow's plastics division revenue by 49% over last year, are used to package everything from pallets of consumer electronics for shipping to prepackaged food. The growth of this industry shows that both consumers and businesses are ready to spend. For importers and the companies that service them, plastics are a component in nearly every product move they make, no matter which industry they come from.

Below is a trend of plastics imports to the United States using HTS Code data from TradeView and a weekly shipment trend based on the Plastics and Rubber Market Basket that Zepol developed with Logistics Today:
 

Zepol is pleased to announce that we have been named to Inbound Logistics' Top 100 Logistics IT providers for 2010. This prestigious honor reinforces our leading position in the trade intelligence industry for the United States. Inclusion on this list recognizes our continued efforts to enhance the data we provide via our trade intelligence tools along with the unique approach that we take to finding solutions for our subscribers.

Felecia Stratton, Editor, Inbound Logistics, stated, "Top 100 Logistics IT Providers such as Zepol empower supply chain management and logistics, and continue to offer innovative and practical solutions in the face of economic uncertainty. During 2010, Zepol consistently provided the kinds of technology solutions Inbound Logistics readers need to successfully manage their global enterprises. As shippers, carriers, and 3PLs increase their use of logistics IT, Zepol continues to be flexible and responsive, anticipating customers’ evolving needs. Inbound Logistics is proud to honor Zepol for innovative solutions empowering logistics and supply chain excellence."

Below is a link to our press release and a button that will allow you to view the entire list of the top 100 Logistics IT providers:

Read our Press Release

 

Over the last week, we have heard how Iceland’s volcano has crippled the airline industry by shutting down flights across Europe. This may have also negatively affected Europe’s international trade. For instance, based on some quick analysis in TradeIQ, salmon exports from Europe to the U.S. dropped from 375 metric tons in 2009 to 80 metric tons in 2010 between March 14 and April 14.

The bright side is that the volcano has bolstered exports from non-European countries. TradeIQ shows that the United States imported 656 metric tons of salmon from New Zealand between March 14 and April 14, 2010. This is a 3544% increase over the previous year’s imports over the same period of 18 metric tons.

The graph below illustrates the trend in salmon exports to the United States from Europe and New Zealand over the last three years for the period from March 14 – April 14:

It is worth noting that trade with Europe will be most impacted in the Air Cargo industry. Given this sector's serious struggles over the last year, this is especially bad news. Please look for Zepol's analysis of Air Cargo data for April in our Census data update in June.

The U.S. Census Bureau released their Merchandise Trade data numbers on April 13th for February 2010. The Merchandise Trade balance increased 42.3% over last February, but fell 6.4% from the previous month. Imports fell by 1.3% from January, but increased 22.9% over last year; while exports grew 1.1% from the previous month and 16.1% over February 2009.

Below is an in-depth breakdown of the U.S. Census Merchandise Trade data released last week. This month we have highlighted 5 interesting items that we found while looking at February's data; here are the highlights:

1. Job Growth is Not Tied to Exports
2. Floating Yuan Could Alter the Trade Picture
3. Baseball Begins with Imported Equipment
4. Office Vacancy Hinders Office Products Market
5. Will Greek Debt Crisis Hurt Trade?
   

Click here for Zepol's U.S. Census Merchandise Trade Data Update for February 2010