Grain Exports Severely Disrupted by Results of Hurricane Ida

There are reports of nearly 50 ships anchored and waiting for the port to open along the Mississippi River to load up corn, soybeans, and other goods but are having no movement due to the aftermath of Hurricane Ida.

Noting that there is an approximate 60-mile area of the waterway that currently remains obstructed due to flooding, sunken or grounded barges and downed power lines, as well as the area around the grain terminal near the river is still flooded with 4 feet of water.

The commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture said, “About 50% of the grain export capacity in the lower Mississippi River is not operational, ” and according to recent estimates by analysts, over the past week, export inspections of corn is projected to be the lowest in a year.