Everything Ken Roberts said at Pharr Bridge’s recent Trade Talks session

Rio Grande Guardian's Podcast

For Pharr, 2023 was the second best year ever. Pharr’s trade totaled $45.82 billion in 2023. That's a better-than 50% increase from just eight years ago - but 1.26 percent less than the 2022 record.

When you're looking at Pharr’s trade over time, the norm is record-breaking trade. Sixteen times in the last 20 years, in fact. The fact remains, however, that the total is the second-largest ever.

What led to the decline? It wasn't imports. Imports actually increased 4.48 percent to a record 28.93 billion. Two imports, miscellaneous electrical machinery and vehicle audio systems increased more than $300 million.

It wasn't most exports, either. Anti-knock additives increased $260.39 million. Pork increased 180.19 million. In fact, save one category, exports were up more than $501 million.

That one category was natural gas, which registered phenomenal growth nationally and in Pharr for a number of years. Almost all of that gas travels via pipeline into Mexico rather than by truck over the bridge.

Even with that, Pharr remains a top port nationally for a variety of exports. It ranks third for pork and anti-knock additives. And, in particular, it ranks high among perishable imports. First for the category dominated by broccoli, first in the carrot category, first in the lemon and lime citrus category, first in the avocado category, second in the berry category.

Pharr ended the year as the nation's 29th most important airport, seaport or border crossing, the third most important border crossing in Texas, and the seventh nationally.

Hard to view 2023 as anything other than another stellar year in a long line of stellar years.

Editor's Note: The above editorial was penned by Ken Roberts, founder and president of World City, for a publication his company produced called 2024 Pharr Trade Numbers.

Editor's Note: Ken Roberts spoke about Pharr International Bridge's trade numbers at a recent Trade Talks session hosted by Pharr Bridge Board. It was held at the Pharr Development & Research Center. Attached is an audio recording of everything Roberts said at the event. He was introduced by Pharr Bridge Director Luis Bazan.

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