2022 has been the year of transportation struggles for agriculture and one economist fears it could impact profitability in the coming year.
Danny Munch with the American Farm Bureau says it is not just one mode of transportation weighing on producers. Even though the rail strike has been averted, he says the railway labor force is struggling to reach levels prior to the pandemic. The limited barge loads due to low levels on the Mississippi River are also increasing costs for farmers.
He says if the issues continue, farmers will face tighter input supplies and higher marketing costs in 2023.