The North American Renderers Association (NARA) has united with 25 other agricultural export organizations to urge the Biden Administration to tackle ongoing rail capacity issues that are hindering U.S. agricultural exports to Mexico. In a concerted effort to enhance Mexico's rail infrastructure, the coalition has penned a letter to prominent U.S. agencies such as the Surface Transportation Board (STB), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the United States Trade Representative (USTR).
Kent Swisher, President & CEO of NARA, expressed concerns about the current railway challenges, emphasizing the critical role efficient rail services play in maintaining the competitiveness of U.S. exporters in one of their most significant markets. "Mexico is a leading export destination for rendered products from the U.S., and the current limitations on rail capacity are jeopardizing our market position," Swisher stated. He highlighted the past success in boosting exports following collaborative efforts with USDA and USTR to open the Mexican market for U.S. bovine meat and bone meal.
In the previous year, the U.S. exported around 155,000 metric tons of rendered animal protein meals to Mexico, underscoring the importance of reliable transportation links to sustain and grow this trade relationship. The coalition's letter calls for urgent action to prevent potential shifts in Mexican sourcing preferences to other international suppliers due to these logistical constraints.
The joint letter from the coalition, including details of their requests and proposed solutions, is available for review, indicating a strategic push towards fostering better infrastructure investments and capacity enhancements in Mexico’s railway system.
