Harvey Forces Shutdown of Texas Ports, Threatens Others

Two major ports along the Gulf of Mexico in Texas are closed following the flooding and damage from Hurricane Harvey.  Ports at the Texas Gulf account for about 24% of U.S. wheat exports, 3% of corn shipments and 2% of soybeans.  In 2011, the Port of Corpus Christi ranked 13th in the Nation for total waterborne agricultural exports, moving about four million metric tons of cargo.  The same year, the Port of Houston ranked sixth in the Nation for total waterborne agricultural exports and ninth for containerized exports, according to the USDA.

Mike Steenhook of the Soy Transportation Coalition told Bloomberg News that the bigger threat to shipments of corn and soybeans comes from Harvey’s potential impact in Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico. About 60% of American soybean exports depart from the region, as do 59% of corn shipments.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com