Exports of US agricultural goods reached an all-time high in 2021 despite supply chain bottlenecks sparked by the pandemic. But American farmers say they should be doing even better. The American Farm Bureau Federation estimates that shipping issues at the West Coast ports suppressed agricultural exports by at least $4.2 billion. The World Shipping Council has expressed concerns that prioritizing exports will create further backlogs in the supply chain and feel that what is really needed is trade volumes to be normalized. At California’s Port of Oakland last month, state and federal agencies launched a pilot program that dedicates additional yard space and equipment specifically for agricultural exporters to help them expedite shipments and secure more containers on ships.
