agriculture exports

Despite exodus of empty containers, US exports are hitting new highs

LNG

“Our largest export commodity continues to be air” is a frequent saying of Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles. That’s certainly true at his port, where exports are containerized. Far more empty boxes leave than full ones, so they can be reloaded quickly in Asia.

But look at the big picture and U.S. exports are actually rising — and on track for a record year. It’s just that more exports are being loaded aboard tankers and dry cargo vessels as opposed to container ships. 

Th...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/despite-exodus-of-empty-containers-us-exports-hitting-new-highs

South Carolina wins with wine and peanuts

A photograph of a byway sign in the countryside. The sign is next to a road and the sign says Welcome to South Carolina.

South Carolina Ports Authority (SC Ports) this week is celebrating two new projects that will take advantage of the export market through the Port of Charleston. 

The announcements about the new projects follow SC Ports’ proclamation last week that May was a record month for handling containers at the Port of Charleston. May’s volume was 230,870 TEUs, up 36% year-over-year.

Wine and port go together: Gallo

Wine and spirits company E. & J. Gallo Winery plans to build a $423 million production...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/south-carolina-wins-with-wine-and-peanuts

Perishable produce puts more pressure on tight air cargo market

A sheet of strawberry cartons being scanned by a warehouse worker.

The competition for scarce aircraft to transport international cargo is about to get even more intense, especially for exports from the U.S. West coast, as seasonal fruit growers look to squeeze their way onto already crowded aircraft. 

Expectations for a strong growing season combined with high fruit demand around the world point to robust exports this year. California cherry harvesting went into full swing earlier this month. After that, stone fruits like peaches and apricots head to market,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/perishable-produce-puts-more-pressure-on-tight-air-cargo-market

West Coast port crisis caught in infrastructure debate

Trans-Pacific container rates from Asia to the U.S. that have doubled from a year ago to approximately $5,000 per box demonstrate an urgent need to pass President Joe Biden’s infrastructure package, according to a top West Coast port official.

Testifying on Thursday before a subcommittee of the House Ways & Means Committee — which is responsible for figuring out how to pay for the massive $2.3 trillion proposal — Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero told lawmakers that a lack of...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/west-coast-port-crisis-caught-in-infrastructure-debate

Ag industry’s letter to Buttigieg urges immediate action on export problem

The U.S. agriculture industry is pressuring the Department of Transportation for immediate intervention in foreign-owned carriers’ denial of U.S. ag exports in favor of sending back empty containers to be filled with Chinese exports. 

In a letter sent to Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Monday that was shared with American Shipper, almost 300 agriculture and forest product companies demanded the secretary intervene to protect U.S. exporters. 

“We are hopeful the secretary will act upon this urgent...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ag-industrys-letter-to-buttigieg-urges-immediate-action-on-export-problem

Port of Long Beach smashes container records in March

A large magenta colored ship with containers sails into port on a sunny day.

A record number of ocean containers crossed the docks at the Port of Long Beach in March, further underscoring that there will be no slow season this year at U.S. ports. Earlier this week, the Port of Charleston reported record results for March. 

The Long Beach port authority on Thursday said its terminals handled 840,387 twenty-foot equivalent units last month, surpassing the previous high of 815,885 TEUs set in December. March is normally one of the slowest months for maritime trade, as...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/port-of-long-beach-smashes-container-records-in-march

Biden picks Maffei to chair Federal Maritime Commission

President Joe Biden has named Daniel Maffei, a commissioner on the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), to lead the agency as chairman.

Maffei replaces Michael Khouri, who had been designated chairman by former President Donald Trump.

Maffei acknowledged he is taking the agency’s helm amid significant container supply chain disruptions and related concerns over container ship rates and service.

“I am grateful and humbled by the confidence President Biden has placed in me by appointing me Chairman at...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/biden-picks-maffei-to-chair-federal-maritime-commission

Port gridlock could blow up Fourth of July fireworks sales

Ocean container vessel and port terminals.

Fireworks distributors are warning that consumers may not get their sparklers, bottle rockets, firecrackers and Roman candles in time to celebrate the Fourth of July because of container shipping backlogs that are choking U.S. ports. 

The National Fireworks Association on Wednesday asked Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to intervene and return the system to pre-COVID levels. “If this is not done within the next few weeks, we fear that this year’s fireworks season will never take place,”...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/port-gridlock-could-blow-up-fourth-of-july-fireworks-sales

The Stockout: Cargill puts its money where its beans are

Cargill’s announcement last week that it is making a nearly half-billion dollar investment in soybeans caught my attention because it suggests that one of the world’s largest food producers believes that soybeans are poised for sustainable growth and the recent price appreciation and surge in production are not just the result of transient trends. It’s clear to me that growing food segments, such as soy-based dairy alternatives and plant-based meat alternatives, are considered sustainable...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/the-stockout-cargill-puts-its-money-where-its-beans-are

GSCW chat recap: AgTC on challenges faced by food exporters

This fireside chat recap is from Day 3 of FreightWaves Global Supply Chain Week. Day 3 focuses on food shippers.

FIRESIDE CHAT TOPIC: The transportation challenges faced by U.S. food exporters.

DETAILS: The global transport system is short of containers. Carriers are racing to get available boxes back to China for lucrative headhaul trades. This is leaving U.S. exporters of food and containerized agricultural products short of the boxes they need.

SPEAKER: Peter Friedmann, executive director,...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/gscw-chat-recap:-agtc-on-challenges-faced-by-food-exporters

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