Ag groups are closely watching port labor talks as the January 15th deadline looms

The clock is ticking down for port owners and unions to come to an agreement over labor. The current contract extension expires on January 15th, and a work stoppage could have a major impact on agriculture trade.

Contract negotiations got quite heated back in November. Despite the back-and-forth, the two sides were able to pass a short-term contract until January 15th, but that day is quickly approaching, and the Union is pushing back on automation requests by port owners.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation has been closely watching and says uncertainty is already brewing. Around 45 percent of waterborne U.S. pork exports leave ports that would be impacted by a strike.

Related Stories
China’s grain expansion model may be hitting its limit. Lower prices, high rents, and policy fatigue threaten future output — with ripple effects across global feed and oilseed markets.
America’s love for burgers depends on open markets. Without lean beef imports, prices would skyrocket, crushing demand and destabilizing the beef industry.
U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) shares his outlook on the developing U.S.-China Trade agreement, and the ongoing impact of the federal government shutdown—now stretching past four weeks—on rural communities and producers.
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to discuss what the Carney-Xi meeting could mean for Canadian producers.
Texas A&M livestock economist Dr. David Anderson joins Tony St. James to discuss the geopolitical tensions and U.S.-Mexico border closure that are leading to sharp swings in the cattle market.
Caleb Ragland, president of the American Soybean Association (ASA), shares his reaction to news of soybean sales to China, which is considered both “welcome news” and a return to near-normal trade relations.