Agricultural organisations are urgently calling for the resumption of rail services at the US-Mexico border, as US and Mexican leaders prepare for discussions. The Ag Transportation Working Group, comprising nearly 50 agricultural organisations, has highlighted the significant disruptions caused by the Mexican rail closures, which have led to backlogs extending to the US/Canada border. Immediate action is deemed necessary to address these issues.
The group has estimated that nearly one million bushels of grain exports are at risk of being lost each day the border remains closed. This situation also affects the export potential of various other agricultural products.
US Press Secretary John Kirby, addressing reporters, mentioned that both presidents have acknowledged the need for additional resources in light of the historic level of migration. “There are numerous reasons for this migration, and the United States is not the only country grappling with these influxes,” he stated.
Kirby also noted that White House officials are scheduled to meet with Mexican leaders in the coming days. These meetings aim to devise strategies to manage the surge of migrants at the border, which has been a contributing factor to the rail closures.
The Union Pacific Railway has estimated that the closure of international rail crossings in Texas, which began on Monday following attempts by tens of thousands of migrants to cross, including via freight trains, is resulting in a daily loss of $200 million in economic activity. This closure has significant implications for the agricultural sector, particularly in terms of export capabilities and economic impact.
