Last week the Ocean Shipping Reform Act was approved by a voice vote in the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee. The bill is now headed to the full Senate for consideration. …
Another ‘Pop-Up’ Site Aims to Further Ease U.S. Port Congestion
A partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) seeks to further address port congestion. Access to a 49-acre “pop up” site in Seattle …
American Agriculture Exports to Mexico in 2021 Help Narrow Trade Gap
U.S. agriculture exports to Mexico reached record highs in 2021 in several categories. A recent report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicates that the value of agricultural products …
Carrier Consolidation A Factor in Exorbitant Shipping Costs
Ocean carrier consolidation appears to be a contributing factor for the substantial increase in shipping costs that began in the middle of 2020. Vice President and Senior RaboResearch Analyst for …
Supply Chain Problems Will Require Complex Series of Solutions
Ongoing bottlenecks continue to create overall supply chain problems, with producers continuing to struggle to get products to their destination. The challenges were the subject of a recent joint hearing …
Record Setting Ag Exports Surpass 2021 Expectations
According to trade information from the U.S. Department of Commerce, ag exports set a new record in 2021. Exports of American farm and food products totaled $177 billion, surpassing forecasts …
Ocean Shipping Reform Act Introduced in the Senate
The Ocean Shipping Reform Act was recently introduced in the U.S. Senate as a means for addressing the continued issues within the food supply chain. Similar legislation was passed in …
Trade War Impacts Documented in Recent USDA Report
A recent report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) details the trade war impacts stemming from tariffs on steel and aluminum. The report examines the losses that occurred in …
Joint Effort to Improve Port of Oakland Conditions for Ag Exports
The Port of Oakland is making moves to help relieve some of the pressure on agricultural exports. Issues with container availability and storage capacity have made the export process exceptionally …
Uncertainty at California Ports Continues to Create Problems
The uncertainty at California ports is an ongoing problem for the food supply chain, with expectations for the issue to continue well into the next year. Labor shortages at the …
USDA and DOT Call Out Ocean Carriers for Poor Service
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Transportation are pushing for ocean carriers to address ongoing issues on West Coast ports. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and …
House Passes Ocean Shipping Reform Act
Earlier this week the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021. The bill seeks to address the ongoing challenges related to international trade and issues …
Almond Update: Export Delays and What’s on The Horizon
All of agriculture has been struggling with export delays, but the challenges have been particularly difficult for the almond industry. Export markets are especially important for almond growers, with the …
Ag Coalition Pleads for Action Addressing Ocean Carriers
A total of 76 agricultural organizations are calling on federal officials to address the ongoing challenges with ocean carriers. In a letter addressed to President Joe Biden, the ag groups …