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Ag faces unprecedented challenges with global supply chain disruptions

A leader with Corn Refiners Association says the agriculture industry is facing unprecedented challenges with continued disruption of the global supply chain.

John Bode says he’s hopeful the administration will continue to address supply chain challenges exposed by the pandemic and further exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“We need to have a bold new approach to new free trade agreements that are tariff-reducing so that we have the flexibility to structure new supply lines and export markets for food and agriculture,” he says.

He says there are several factors increasing stress on the supply chain.

“We’ve got tariffs on products that are disrupting supplies that we need for our agricultural system and are hurting our ability to market American agricultural crops,” he says.

Bode commends the administration for addressing port infrastructure domestically, but he says more must be done.

“We have major problems with rail service that are not being addressed and need to be because that is causing shutdown of some food operations because the rails can’t ship it or have not been shipping,” he says. “We also have stress and unnecessary regulations on trucking. That could be freed up so our supply chains would work better.”

Audio: John Bode