The Panjiva team is getting ready for the 4th of July, and so we took a look at U.S. imports of fireworks.  Not surprisingly, it’s highly seasonal:

Global trade wonks will not be surprised to see that China is the dominant exporter.  But Fireworks.com reminds us that this is not just another example of China’s manufacturing dominance; after all, fireworks were invented in China.

When the Panjiva team watches fireworks this weekend, we’ll be thinking of global trade.  But we encourage the rest of you to just enjoy the moment.

The word from the Panjiva research team: in May, global trade activity increased noticeably.  Specifically, there was a 9% increase in the number of global manufacturers shipping to the U.S. market, as well as an 8% increase in the number of U.S. companies receiving waterborne shipments from global manufacturers.

The May data is a step in the right direction, but volatile financial markets in Europe and rising input costs in China warrant a conservative outlook when it comes to the sustainability of growth.  Note:

• The percentage of significant manufacturers on the Panjiva Watch List halted its 10-month streak of declines, leveling at 17%.
• The percentage of significant buyers having done business with a Panjiva Watch List supplier in the preceding three months also leveled at 24%
• The number of waterborne shipments coming into the U.S. saw a robust 21% year-over-year increase in May, although year-over-year comparisons are misleading since, as we’ve pointed out previously, global trade was a mess this time last year.

Methodological notes:

• Manufacturers that have suffered a 50% or greater decline in volume shipped to American customers in the most recent three month period, versus the same period a year ago, are on the Panjiva Watch List.
• “Significant manufacturers” are companies that have sent 10 or more shipments to American customers within the last year. As of the end of May, there were 91,104 significant manufacturers.
• “Significant buyers” are U.S. companies that have received 10 or more shipments from overseas manufacturers within the last year. As of the end of May, there were 78,762 significant buyers.

We’re getting World Cup fever at Panjiva.  So we took a look at shipments of soccer balls to the United States.  Sure enough, shipments surged in May:

Interestingly, there was a mini-surge in FIFA shipments as well over the last couple of months.  FIFA Cabernet, of all things, accounts for many of the shipments.

However, anyone hoping that soccer will one day be America’s national pastime should take note…  In May, the total number of shipments that included the names of sports were as follows:

• 362: Basketball
  
• 438: Soccer
  
• 548: Football
  
• 922: Baseball