国际英语新闻：Exports at two major U.S. ports approach pro-recession record

Meanwhile, air freight exports through the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) peaked at 457,899 U.S. tons in 2007, but the pace this year is running nearly 4 percent ahead of that, the report said, citing figures from Beacon Economics, a consulting firm.

Monetary value of exports was higher in 2007, but "the logistics industry makes money by moving weight and volume," said Jock O' Connell, international trade advisor for Beacon Economics.

California exporters racked up their best October ever, shipping 12.91 billion dollars in goods abroad during the month, up 16.5 percent from October 2009 and 1.1 percent better than the previous high for the month in October 2007, according to Beacon Economics.

Those are good signs for the local economy, despite a less robust showing by imports, which account for the bulk of cargo traffic through the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, said th report.

As export-driven sales growth is helping to lead the region's rebound, international trade provides work for more than 500,000 people in Southern California, according to the report.

Nationwide, the trade deficit narrowed more than anticipated in October, with exports jumping 3.2 percent and imports declining 0.5 percent, the Commerce Department said Friday.

The trade gap fell to 38.7 billion dollars from a revised 44.6 billion for September, the department said.

This was below analysts' estimate for October of 43.6 billion, which suggests stronger U.S. economic growth, The Times said.