Ciudad Juárez land exports to US surge 80% in May amid job cuts

In May, land export value from Ciudad Juárez to the United States reached $17.4545 billion, up 79.9% from the same month a year earlier. Road transport was the main driver, accounting for $17.095 billion, an 82.3% year‑on‑year increase, while rail shipments contributed $359.5 million, a 9.2% rise. Overall, the combined commercial flow generated a $7.7524 billion gain compared with the previous year.

During the same period, local export factories eliminated 2,079 jobs, reducing maquiladora employment to 251,246 workers. Economist Erika Donjuan warned that employment instability is set to continue through 2026, noting, “Necesitamos prepararnos,” and adding, “Creemos que en el resto del año vamos a seguir viendo inestabilidad en el empleo.” She highlighted a shift from globalization to regionalization and called for coordinated action among the private sector, government and education to diversify the economy.