PHARR, Texas - Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock has released the results of a Comptroller’s office study examining the impact of the Port of Hidalgo on the Texas economy.
The Port of Hidalgo accounts for 8.5 percent of land port trade, or about $46.4 billion, the study found. By comparison, the Port Laredo accounts for 62 percent of land port trade, or about $339.7 billion.
Hancock said the Port of Hidalgo includes Anzalduas International Bridge, the McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge, the Pharr International Bridge and the McAllen International Airport.
He pointed out Hidalgo’s border crossings form one of 11 land ports along Texas’ 1,254-mile border with Mexico.
“Land ports and bridges such as the Pharr Bridge are critical to Texas’ role as the nation’s top trading state,” Hancock said, at a news conference at the Pharr International Bridge. “This crossing keeps goods moving, supports Texas jobs and strengthens our economy by connecting Texas businesses to markets across North America.”
Shipping activity through the Hidalgo port of entry in 2024 totaled $46.4 billion in trade, 205 percent more than in 2003, Hancock reported. Mexico accounted for 99.8 percent of total exports and 94.5 percent of import trade through this port in 2024.
Of Texas’ total international trade, $547.9 billion in goods, or 51.5 percent, traveled across the state’s border crossings with Mexico, with the Port of Hidalgo accounting for 8.5 percent of land port trade.
Hancock said that based on his office’s estimate, the Port of Hidalgo in 2024 was responsible for nearly 92,000 net jobs and contributed $9.3 billion to Texas’ gross domestic product.
The top export commodities by value from the Port of Hidalgo in 2024 were mineral fuels ($3.5 billion), followed by electric machinery and equipment ($3.2 billion), and machinery and mechanical appliances ($2 billion). These commodities accounted for 56.9 percent of the port’s total exports. Top imports to the port included electric machinery and equipment ($12 billion), fruits and nuts ($4.7 billion), and machinery and mechanical appliances ($3.6 billion).
Here is a video recording of Hancock being interviewed by reporters at the Pharr International Bridge:
Luis Bazan is director of the Pharr International Bridge.
Bazan was present for Hancock’s presentation. Here is Bazan's reaction to the Comptroller's study:
Based on the Comptroller’s estimate, the Port of Hidalgo in 2024 resulted in nearly 92,000 net jobs and contributed $9.3 billion to Texas’ gross domestic product.
Port of Hidalgo Trade
The Port of Hidalgo’s several border crossings form one of 11 land ports with international trade data along Texas’ 1,254-mile border with Mexico. Total trade through the port rose by 205 percent between 2003 and 2024. the Port of Hidalgo was a net importer by trade value in 2024, seeing $31.1 billion in imports and $15.3 billion in exports (Exhibit 2).
The top export commodities by value from the Port of Hidalgo in 2024 were mineral fuels ($3.5 billion), followed by electric machinery and equipment ($3.2 billion) and machinery and mechanical appliances ($2.0 billion). These commodities accounted for 56.9 percent of the port’s total exports. Top imports to the port included electric machinery and equipment ($12 billion), fruits and nuts ($4.7 billion) and machinery and mechanical appliances ($3.6 billion) (Exhibit 3).
The value of exports from the Port of Hidalgo to its top five recipient countries was $15.3 billion in 2024, or 99.9 percent of its total. Mexico was the leading destination for exported goods, receiving almost all exported commodities from the port (Exhibit 4).
The Port of Hidalgo’s top five import trading partners accounted for 98.5 percent of its $31.1 billion in imports in 2024, with Mexico comprising 94.5 percent of all imports (Exhibit 5).
In 2024, the Port of Hidalgo handled northbound border-crossing traffic of about 721,489 trucks, an increase of over 7.1 percent from 2022. Additionally, the Hidalgo port of entry saw an increase in car and passenger and pedestrian foot traffic over 2022 and 2023 levels (Exhibit 6).
Editor's Note: Here is more reaction from Pharr International Bridge Director Luis Bazan:
