Hoeven Outlines Efforts to Address Shipping Backlogs, Ensure Ag Producers Can Access Foreign Markets

Ag exports provide tremendous value to our producers, with North Dakota exporting approximately $4.3 billion of agriculture products last year. Further, the U.S. agriculture industry has maintained a positive balance of trade for the last two decades. In order to support their continued success, we need to address the transportation backlogs impacting our farmers and ranchers. That’s exactly what we’re working to do through our efforts with the STB as well as my Ocean Shipping Reform Act. I appreciate Neal’s willingness to discuss these important issues with my fellow Senate Ag committee members, as his extensive background in securing market access for our producers brings important insights to our efforts.