Lengthy port shutdown would impact ag economy. (Washington).(US West Coast port shutdown and agriculture)

Food Institute Report, The, October, 2002

Late last week, dockworkers and shipping officials began talks with a federal mediator to try to resolve the West Coast port shutdown. Thus far, the West Coast port shutdown has had little impact on either the agriculture or equipment companies, according to analysts, but, Dan Basse, an analyst at Chicago, IL-based AgResource Co. indicates that if there is any large effect from the strike, it may be on the meat industry since Asia, primarily Japan, is the biggest importer of U.S. beef. Asia receives between 60% and 70% of U.S. exported beef, according to Philip Seng, president of the U.S. Meat Export Federation. In 2001, total beef exports totaled $5 billion, in addition to an additional $2 billion in pork. If the strike persists, it could have a negative impact on meat...

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