USMEF Statement on USDA/Port of Oakland Partnership
On Jan. 31, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a partnership with the Port of Oakland to establish a new site designed to help agricultural exporters secure containers and prepare outbound shipments. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued the following statement:
USMEF appreciates the efforts of USDA, the Port of Oakland and other agencies to address a situation that continues to frustrate U.S. exporters. We realize there is no magic solution to the shipping difficulties confronting exporters at U.S. ports, but improving access to containers is certainly a step in the right direction. The Port of Oakland is an essential, strategic outlet for U.S. red meat exports, especially for chilled product destined for our key Asian markets, and our members look forward to utilizing the new container site.