- April 2025 imports at the Port of Oakland declined 10.2% from March but remained 4.8% higher than April 2024, with new tariffs on China expected to impact volumes more in May.
- Exports dropped 4.2% year-over-year and 15% from March due to market uncertainty, though refrigerated goods stayed strong; empty container volumes fell as equipment was strategically repositioned.
In April 2025, the Port of Oakland handled 185,499 TEUs (twenty-foot containers), experiencing a 14.7% decline in cargo volume compared to March. This slowdown reflects market uncertainty and weakening export demand, influenced by recent changes in U.S. trade policy. However, despite the monthly drop, the port’s total volume for the first four months of 2025 reached 787,028 TEUs, representing a 4.3% increase over the same period last year, as stated in the report released by Port of Oakland.
Import Trends and Market Impact
In April 2025, full imports at the Port of Oakland totaled 78,965 TEUs, down 10.2% from March but still 4.8% higher than April 2024. The March surge, reaching 87,896 TEUs, was driven by anticipation of new tariffs. With 45% of imports coming from China, the recent tariff implementation in early April is expected to impact inbound volumes more noticeably starting in May.
Export Volumes and Market Uncertainty
Full exports dropped 4.2% year-over-year to 64,723 TEUs in April 2025 and fell 15% from March’s 76,157 TEUs due to market uncertainty. Although only 7% of exports go to China, concerns over retaliatory tariffs and shifting demand are affecting bookings, especially in agriculture and food products. Despite the decline, refrigerated commodities remain strong, supported by Oakland’s competitive cold chain capacity. Empty container volumes also declined, with empty imports down 11.7% year-over-year and 22% from March, and empty exports decreasing by 6.8%, reflecting strategic equipment repositioning.
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Source: PortOfOakland
