NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — A new USDA Agricultural Marketing Service study finds that big shipping alliances—groups of ocean carriers that share ships and schedules—now move over 70 percent of America’s container exports.
Even as export volumes have leveled off since peaking in 2015, the report says the real-world effects on exporters are small: a few fewer ship visits on some routes, slightly tighter space, and roughly $20 more per container on average.
For farm shippers—hay, specialty grains, meats, dairy powders, almonds—the impact isn’t worse than for other goods. The study notes import routes may be a different story because they move larger volumes and higher-value products, so they could feel alliance power more sharply.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Expect business-as-usual for most container exports. Keep bookings flexible, budget for modest rate bumps, diversify ports and carriers where possible, and watch import congestion for ripple effects.
Related Stories
In a statement provided to RFD-TV News, a USDA spokesperson reiterated President Trump and the USDA’s commitment to farmers in difficult economic times.
Support policies that keep U.S. biofuels at the table—marine demand could materially lift corn grind, crush margins, and rural jobs.
China is not one of our top suppliers of cooking oil, according to USDA ERS data, but does export a lot of used cooking oil to the U.S. for biofuel production.
Industry leaders say $11 billion in new investments could turn the tide as dairy producers face shrinking margins and growing uncertainty.
Export Inspections In Bushels Show Mixed Momentum Patterns
New U.S. fees on Chinese-owned and built ships took effect overnight, marking the latest escalation in maritime trade tensions between Washington and Beijing.
President Trump is expected to press Argentina to take a tougher stance on China in exchange for political and economic support.
Treat storage as risk management and logistics, and budget to break even since export growth is unlikely to absorb bigger U.S. corn and soybean crops.
“Good flies? Is that like a good fire ant?” Miller said. “I don’t know what a good fly is. I don’t know if they’re afraid to kill house flies or stable flies, but I’m ready to kill the screwworm fly.”
