DURATION OF PORT STRIKES A BIG FACTOR FOR U.S. RED MEAT EXPORTS 

Erin Borror, the vice president of economic analysis with the U.S. Meat Export Federation, says U.S. beef and pork exports are affected as port strikes happen along the East and Gulf Coasts.

“These ports accommodated about $2.8 billion worth of U.S. red meat exports in the first seven months of the year. That’s about $400 million per month and just over $100 million per week.”

She says it’s a busy season for red meat production and exports, and the duration of the port strike will make a difference.

“If we’re talking a couple of days, clearly the impact isn’t as significant as if it drags on longer. Then, we start to get concerned about shipping backlogs and the COVID mess all over again.”

Borror says a longer strike could cause market and price challenges and frozen red meat products might need to be moved into cold storage.

“I can’t yet speak to how much product might be stranded, but I know exporters have been watching this and trying to alternatively plan as much as they can. There’s only so much you can do.”

But Borror says she’s optimistic an agreement can be reached to end the strike soon.