US Exports Hit New Record in March

US exports declined 3.2%, falling $10.5 billion to $317.7 billion in May 2026 after reaching a record $328.2 billion in April. The drop was mainly due to lower goods exports, which decreased $11.3 billion to $210.6 billion. Industrial supplies and materials fell $5.5 billion, led by sharp declines in nonmonetary gold ($6.2 billion), other precious metals ($1.3 billion), and natural gas ($1.1 billion). However, crude oil exports increased by $2.0 billion. Capital goods exports dropped $3.5 billion, with lower shipments of computers ($2.1 billion) and computer accessories ($2.0 billion). Consumer goods also declined $2.1 billion, including a $0.9 billion decrease in pharmaceutical preparations. In contrast, services exports rose $0.8 billion to $107.1 billion, supported by higher earnings from travel, business, transport, and financial services.

US exports rose 2.6%, or $8.3 billion, to a record $327.1 billion in April 2026. Goods exports drove the gain, climbing $8.7 billion to $221.3 billion, with capital goods contributing $4 billion, led by a $2.5 billion increase in computers and a $1 billion rise in civilian aircraft shipments. Industrial supplies and materials also strengthened, supported by higher crude oil exports, which increased $6.4 billion, while fuel oil (up $1.3 billion) and other petroleum products (up $1.0 billion) also posted gains. These increases were partly offset by declines in nonmonetary gold (down $5.8 billion) and other precious metals (down $1.9 billion). Consumer goods exports rose by $1.7 billion. Meanwhile, services exports edged lower by $400 million to $105.8 billion, with declines in travel, transport and maintenance services partially offset by a rise in other business services.

US exports rose 2.0%, or $6.2 billion, to a record $320.9 billion in March 2026, fueled by a $6.5 billion surge in goods exports. Industrial supplies and materials led the gain, up $5.0 billion, driven by higher energy prices tied to the Iran conflict. Key contributors included crude oil (+$2.8 billion), other petroleum products (+$1.7 billion), and fuel oil (+$1.6 billion), while exports of other precious metals fell $1.6 billion. Food, feed, and beverage exports increased $1.1 billion, boosted by soybeans, while consumer goods exports declined $1.7 billion. Services exports dipped $0.3 billion, with travel down $1.1 billion, partially offset by gains in transport (+$0.2 billion), financial services (+$0.1 billion), and other business services (+$0.1 billion).