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US-Mexico rail hold-ups struck farm sector ahead of possible ports strike

Rail stockpiles are interrupting export trade in between the United States and Mexico and snarling farming supply chains as the fall harvest is under method, farming groups stated on Friday.

A possible East and Gulf Coast port strike that could begin on Tuesday would worsen the problems, almost 200 farming groups stated in a letter sent to the White House on Friday.

While Mexico is the top U.S. corn export market, it's likewise been a key outlet this year for farming exporters looking to make up for slow purchasing from China, a leading commodity purchaser.

Mexico's imports of U.S. farming items increased 27%. in the very first 7 months of 2024 over the previous year,. federal government information revealed. But rail capability can not stay up to date with. the demand, stated National Grain and Feed Association President. Mike Seyfert.

Union Pacific Corp and Berkshire Hathaway-owned BNSF. Train have actually stopped providing authorizations for grain shuttle bus. trains to Mexico since of congestion and a growing backlog of. crammed trains, according to Union Pacific's website and the U.S. Department of Farming.

Ferromex, the Mexican railroad that interchanges with BNSF. and Union Pacific, also has embargoed licenses for grain trains. at border crossings at Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas, USDA said.

Union Pacific stated it is working to help with smoother. crossings and lower blockage at the border. BNSF and Ferromex. might not be reached for comment.

The circumstance has left some grain sellers rushing to discover. brand-new purchasers for their crops and having a hard time to get empty rail cars and trucks. back from Mexico for shipments, Seyfert said.

When you're trying to make area for what is anticipated to. be a large corn crop and a large soy crop, the last thing you. need is to search for new business if you can't deliver to your. customer, Seyfert stated.

(source: Reuters)