California Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla urged ocean carriers to accept more US agricultural exports. The US import market is increasing significiantly which has impacted exports unfavourably.
Export market conditions have led to steep declines in bookings and loadings,while demand has remained firm.
“Agricultural commodities have been significantly hampered in exporting their products because of container and equipment shortages, canceled bookings, and inadequate receiving windows,” a letter from the senators said “Three out of four containers at US ports are returning to Asia empty, resulting in a significant backlog of sold product in need of transportation.”