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Port of Portland Cargo Down Slightly by Associated Press Seattle Post-Intelligencer, February 5, 2009

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Agricultural exports helped the Port of Portland get through last year's part of the recession with relative ease as total marine cargo dipped only 2.3 percent from 2007's record high.

Port Marine Director Sam Rueda said cargo volumes plunged late last year, however. He said cargo generally stopped coming in mid-October and that exports dropped off sharply starting four to six weeks later.

While the number of cargo containers handled by the port have risen in recent days, he said port managers expect 2009 to be relatively grim.

Oregon's economy is the seventh-most trade-dependent in the nation. About Oregon 1,000 companies depend on getting goods to or from foreign markets.