Port of Wilmington, N.C.
Port of Wilmington, N.C.’s trade totaled $860.58 million for the month of December, $10.86 billion for all of 2019, and $9.88 billion for all of 2018, the latest annual data available, according to U.S. Census Bureau data analyzed by WorldCity. Need more details? Read more
Click on any of the countries in the chart below to gain access to the specific exports and imports between that country and (port), how it compares to other ports for trade with that country, how that trade has changed over time, and much more. Data available both by value and tonnage. Download data. If you are not a subscriber, you can learn more by clicking on the subscribe link.
Top Trading Countries
| Rank | Port | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saudi Arabia | $2.26 B |
| 2 | China | $1.47 B |
| 3 | United Kingdom | $1.28 B |
| 4 | Germany | $903.22 M |
| 5 | Honduras | $776.27 M |
| 6 | Belgium | $592.67 M |
| 7 | The Netherlands | $381.01 M |
| 8 | South Korea | $271.51 M |
| 9 | Qatar | $232.33 M |
| 10 | Nicaragua | $230.75 M |
Overall Rank
Top Exports
| Rank | Commodity | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bombs, grenades, cartridges, parts | $1.55 B |
| 2 | Defense-related aircraft, parts | $703.62 M |
| 3 | Motor vehicle parts | $368.57 M |
| 4 | Pork meat, fresh, frozen or chilled | $214.35 M |
| 5 | Cotton yarn | $176.52 M |
| 6 | Chemical wood pulp, not dissolving grade | $141.8 M |
| 7 | Synthetic yarn, not retail | $138.84 M |
| 8 | Civilian aircraft, parts | $133.46 M |
| 9 | Exports military apparel, military equipment | $126.92 M |
| 10 | Fuel wood in logs, chips | $103.06 M |
Top Imports
| Rank | Commodity | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sweaters, pullovers, vests, knit or crocheted | $413.91 M |
| 2 | T-shirts, tank tops, knit or crocheted | $207.44 M |
| 3 | Motor vehicle parts | $147.19 M |
| 4 | Nitrogenous fertilizers | $118.11 M |
| 5 | Self-propelled heavy construction machinery | $116.27 M |
| 6 | Compressors and pumps | $116.13 M |
| 7 | Acyclic alcohols | $112.99 M |
| 8 | Furniture, parts | $101.22 M |
| 9 | Perfumes | $80.01 M |
| 10 | Internal combustion engines | $73.75 M |
Port of Wilmington, N.C.’s trade increases 9.94 percent in 2019.
Port of Wilmington, N.C.’s trade with the world rose 9.94 percent, from $9.88 billion to $10.86 billion in 2019 when compared to 2018, according to WorldCity analysis of the latest U.S. Census Bureau data.
In 2019, the nation’s total trade was $4.14 trillion, with exports at $1.65 trillion and imports at $2.49 trillion. The nation’s total trade decreased 1.46 percent compared to 2018. Exports fell 1.13 percent and imports fell 1.67 percent.
Port of Wilmington, N.C. ranked No. 68 for total trade among the nation’s roughly 450 airports, seaports and border crossings in 2019.
The nation’s top five “ports” — airports, seaports and border crossings — in 2019, by value, were Port of Los Angeles; Port Laredo; Chicago O’Hare International Airport; Port of Newark and John F. Kennedy International Airport.
In 2019 Port of Wilmington, N.C.’s top trade partners were No. 1 Saudi Arabia, No. 2 China, No. 3 United Kingdom, No. 4 Germany and No. 5 Honduras. In 2018, the top trade partners were held by Saudi Arabia, China, United Kingdom, Germany and Belgium, respectively.
Taking a closer look at its leading trade partners:
- Trade with No. 1 Saudi Arabia rose 14.56 percent to $2.26 billion.
Exports rose 27.79 percent to $2.22 billion. Imports fell 81.57 percent to $44.07 million. - Trade with No. 2 China fell 7.03 percent to $1.47 billion.
Exports rose 0.24 percent to $327.22 million. Imports fell 8.92 percent to $1.15 billion. - Trade with No. 3 United Kingdom fell 3.91 percent to $1.28 billion.
Exports fell 18.16 percent to $736.04 million. Imports rose 25.72 percent to $544.17 million. - Trade with No. 4 Germany rose 4.94 percent to $903.22 million.
Exports fell 22.53 percent to $191.03 million. Imports rose 15.97 percent to $712.2 million. - Trade with No. 5 Honduras rose 51.43 percent to $776.27 million.
Exports rose 47.68 percent to $376.58 million. Imports rose 55.14 percent to $399.68 million.
Port of Wilmington, N.C.’s top five trading partners in 2019 accounted for 61.68 percent of its trade with the world.
Port of Wilmington, N.C. had trade surpluses with 54 countries and deficits with 63 in 2019. That compares with 49 surpluses and 58 deficits for 2018. The top three surpluses were with Saudi Arabia, $2.18 billion; Belgium, $210.66 million; and United Kingdom, $191.87 million. The top three deficits were with China, $817.92 million; Germany, $521.17 million; and Nicaragua, $221.02 million.
In 2019 its top exports were Bombs, grenades, cartridges, parts; Defense-related aircraft, parts; Motor vehicle parts; Pork meat, fresh, frozen or chilled; and Cotton yarn, in that order. Those accounted for 50.67 percent of its total outbound trade. The Port’s top imports were Sweaters, pullovers, vests, knit or crocheted; T-shirts, tank tops, knit or crocheted; Motor vehicle parts; Nitrogenous fertilizers; and Self-propelled heavy construction machinery, accounting for 20.41 percent of all inbound shipments.
Looking more closely at Port of Wilmington, N.C.’s exports:
- Bombs, grenades, cartridges, parts rose 6.75 percent compared to last year to $1.55 billion.
- Defense-related aircraft, parts rose 51.46 percent compared to last year to $703.62 million.
- Motor vehicle parts rose 8.63 percent compared to last year to $368.57 million.
- Pork meat, fresh, frozen or chilled rose 120.78 percent compared to last year to $214.35 million.
- Cotton yarn rose 21.64 percent compared to last year to $176.52 million.
On the import side:
- Sweaters, pullovers, vests, knit or crocheted rose 47.92 percent compared to last year to $413.91 million.
- T-shirts, tank tops, knit or crocheted rose 165.08 percent compared to last year to $207.44 million.
- Motor vehicle parts rose 1.66 percent compared to last year to $147.19 million.
- Nitrogenous fertilizers fell 1.37 percent compared to last year to $118.11 million.
- Self-propelled heavy construction machinery rose 8.36 percent compared to last year to $116.27 million.
In 2018 Port of Wilmington, N.C. posted total trade with the world of $9.88 billion. The Port’s surplus was $836.84 million. Exports totaled $5.36 billion and imports came to $4.52 billion.