Monday Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a new program to help address the export side of the supply chain crisis. USDA will partner with California’s Port of Oakland to increase their capacity and improve service for shippers of U.S. ag products.
He says the program establishes a new “pop-up” site at the port to make it easier for ag companies to fill empty containers with agricultural exports.
Vilsack says the new site will also have a dedicated gate with the ability to pre-cool refrigerated shipping containers and reduce bottlenecks at the main entrance to the port. Exporters will also be paid a subsidy for logistical costs.
The Secretary says this will result in expanded exports with the U.S. serving 7 out of the top 10 export markets. The goals is to expand the program to other ports on the coast.
Vilsack spoke on a webinar of agriculture industry and policy leaders hosted by the National Milk Producers Federation, the U.S. Dairy Export Council and Agri-Pulse.
