NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD NEWS) — U.S. inland waterways continue to play a central role in keeping American agriculture competitive, moving bulk commodities efficiently while supporting jobs, exports, and the delivery of farm inputs. New federal research shows the system’s economic value has grown even as aging infrastructure raises concerns about long-term reliability.
Updated analysis finds inland waterways generate roughly $30 billion in annual economic output and support more than 200,000 jobs nationwide. Agricultural exports account for a large share of that impact, with grain shipments alone supporting about 122,000 jobs, $8 billion in labor income, and $18 billion in GDP each year. Soybeans and corn dominate export volumes, followed by wheat, rice, and sorghum.
For producers, waterways help keep transportation costs low for both outbound grain and inbound fertilizer. Many states along major river systems rely on barge traffic to meet most or all of their nitrogen fertilizer demand, helping stabilize input availability and pricing.
Regionally, the Mississippi River and Columbia–Snake River systems anchor export flows across the Midwest, Plains, Pacific Northwest, and Delta, linking inland production to global markets.
Looking ahead, analysts warn that without investment in lock expansion, dredging, and rehabilitation, disruptions could raise costs, slow exports, and weaken U.S. competitiveness against countries improving their own transport networks.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Reliable waterways lower costs, protect export demand, and support long-term farm profitability.
Tony St. James, RFD NEWS Markets Specialist
Corn and wheat inspections outpaced last year, but soybean movement remains seasonally active yet behind, keeping basis and freight dynamics in focus by corridor.
October 21, 2025 04:00 PM
·
Lawmakers are pressing for answers on how Washington’s “managed trade” approach — keeping leverage through long-term tariffs — will affect farmers, global markets, and future export opportunities.
October 21, 2025 12:17 PM
·
Beef industry groups seem to agree — market-based pricing, not federal intervention, best supports rancher livelihoods and long-term beef supply stability.
October 21, 2025 11:22 AM
·
Lyndsey Smith with Real Ag Radio joined RFD-TV to share a Canadian perspective on the discussions.
October 20, 2025 03:30 PM
·
Bioethanol is becoming a global standard. For growers, that boom comes as drops in Mississippi River levels and in soybean demand occur in tandem, leaving barge space for corn and wheat.
October 20, 2025 01:32 PM
·
The government shutdown has touched nearly every sector of the ag industry since it began, and now impacts are spilling over into dairy.
October 20, 2025 12:46 PM
·
With China halting U.S. soybean purchases and talks tied to broader strategic issues, growers face renewed export uncertainty.
October 20, 2025 11:52 AM
·
Talks highlight the widening role of agriculture in U.S.–India trade policy, though neither side appears ready for major concessions before tariff issues and oil imports are resolved.
October 20, 2025 11:28 AM
·
Southern farms are deepening online engagement for cost savings and market access, while higher-cost precision technologies face renewed scrutiny amid tight budgets.
October 20, 2025 11:22 AM
·
