AFBF Supports Port of Oakland Expansion

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on USDA’s announcement that the agency is partnering with the Port of Oakland to build a 25-acre container yard with the goal of reducing congestion and improving export flow of agricultural commodities.

“Supply chain issues are a big concern for farmers and ranchers and we appreciate USDA’s actions to ease congestion at several ports. Today’s announcement about increasing capacity at the Port of Oakland, our third largest port for containerized waterborne agricultural products, is welcome news. It’s an important step to ensure America’s farmers and ranchers have a reliable path for exporting the rice, beef, pork, fruits, vegetables, almonds and many other agricultural goods grown in the United States.

“Further steps must be taken to prevent carriers from sending empty containers out of U.S. ports, such as the passage and signing of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act. Port congestion is one piece of a larger puzzle and AFBF will continue working with industry, federal agencies and Congress to untangle the complicated web of supply chain issues facing farmers and ranchers.”