The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA), along with 55 other organizations, sent a letter to President Joe Biden, urging immediate action to prevent potential disruptions at port operations along the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts. The letter emphasized the critical importance of keeping these ports operational as the U.S. harvest season begins, highlighting the potential economic and supply chain impacts if port closures occur.
"As the harvest season gets underway, even the slightest delay in moving American products efficiently has a disruptive and harmful effect on our supply chain and economy," said NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert. "Keeping these ports open and operating at full capacity is critical to NGFA members and rural America."
Approximately 40% of U.S. containerized agricultural exports move through ports along the East and Gulf Coasts, which could be affected as early as October 1 if the ongoing labor negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance are not resolved. The current labor agreement is set to expire on September 30.
The letter warned of the potential consequences: "If port operations are stopped, the impact on the ag supply chain will quickly reverberate throughout agriculture, potentially lowering farmgate prices and halting or slowing operations."
The NGFA-organized letter was signed by leading trade groups representing a wide array of industries, including farmers, ranchers, food manufacturers, and renewable fuel producers. The coalition also pointed to other supply chain challenges, including rail embargoes affecting trade with Mexico and low water levels on the Mississippi River, which have compounded the industry's concerns.
The letter urged the Biden Administration to take preemptive action to prevent a lockout or strike, ensuring the smooth flow of U.S. agricultural products and mitigating the risks to the economy.
