The Port of Pascagoula has reported a 25 percent increase the amount of cargo moved during the first three months of 2009 as compared to the first quarter of 2008.

Port officials say 186,260 tons were moved from January to March this year compared to 150,192 tons a year ago.

Port director Mark McAndrews says a decline in imports has been offset by an increase in exports.

Pascagoula exported 85,486 tons of frozen poultry in January through March to areas such as Russia and Ukraine, up 93 percent from the 44,270 tons shipped out in the same period last year.

McAndrews says forest product trade fell 40 percent, from 93,702 tons in 2008 to 55,566 tons in 2009, mainly because of the decline in homebuilding.