covid

COVID Shipping Problems Remain

Dan Exports/Imports, Trade

Though the global COVID pandemic officially ended more than a year ago, many of the issues we saw during that time remain, especially when it comes to agricultural shipping. Supply chain issues have persisted since COVID, and Tiffany Comprés, a partner at Pierson Ferdinand law firm with experience in agricultural shipping, believes the next few months will be tight. “But …

global

Profit Downturn for Global Ag Traders

Dan Economy, Exports/Imports, This Land of Ours

Lower profits for global ag traders. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Global bumper harvests, a downturn in crop markets, and slowing demand for farm equipment are shrinking profits and lowering the future outlooks for some of the world’s biggest companies. Farm Policy News says St. Louis-based Bunge posted earnings of $1.73 a share in the second quarter, …

food

U.S. Food Imports Rising

Dan Exports/Imports, This Land of Ours

The U.S. is importing more foreign food and farm products. Gary Crawford has more coming up on This Land of Ours. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsMarch 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024

Boats, Bargaining Tables and Beef Marketing: Labor Union Raises Issue for Ag Exports

Will Jordan Exports/Imports, Industry, Livestock, Livestock News, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF)

International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), which represents workers at ports throughout the East and Gulf Coasts, recently canceled contract talks with terminal operators represented by the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX). The current  labor contract between the two groups expires later this year, and negotiations have been called off over what ILA contends are efforts to automate additional port services, and …

strong beef market

China Bans Meat Exports from U.S. West Coast Facility

Dan Beef, Cattle, Exports/Imports

China has banned meat exports from a West Coast cold storage facility near the Port of Oakland after traces of the feed additive ractopamine were found in beef shipments. The Food Safety and Inspection Service said that Chinese customs workers detected the feed additive that’s banned by more than 150 countries. Agriculture Dive says the move is creating significant obstacles …

trade

Mexico’s Leadership Change Could Bring Trade Changes

Dan Agri-Business, Exports/Imports, Trade

Mexico’s election last week means a change in leadership for the nation and possible changes in trade with the United States. Claudia Sheinbaum won the election and will take over current President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador later this year. Jacqui Fatka, the lead economist for farm supply and biofuels in CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange research division, says it could have an …

U.S. Ag Exports ‘Struggling’

Dan Exports/Imports, Trade

A drop in U.S. exports to China shows up significantly in the latest trade forecast from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “Generally speaking, our exports are struggling,” said USDA’s chief economist Seth Meyer. Exports are down $8.2 billion from last year at $170.5 billion this year. “So, unchanged for the new forecast for 2024. But we’re still down pretty sharply …