BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, US — Impact on overall US agriculture trade is expected to be minor from the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge following the collision by a container ship, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF).

The bridge collapsed on March 26, killing six construction workers, after a container ship lost power and hit the bridge. All waterway vessel traffic was suspended indefinitely at the port.

The Port of Baltimore ranks 17th in terms of cargo throughput in the United States, processing more than 37 million short tons of combined import and export product in 2021.

The AFBF said the port is responsible for moving 0.3% of US ag exports and 2.1% of imports. In 2023, the port exported 605,000 tonnes of agricultural products. Of that total, 415,678 tonnes were soybeans, or 0.9% of all US soybean exports.

On the import side, more than 1.59 million tonnes of agricultural products entered through the Port of Baltimore, the AFBF said. By quantity, over 25% of all US imported raw beet and cane sugar entered through Baltimore.

The AFBF noted that the port’s significance in providing access to international markets for businesses, including farmers, should not be minimized.

“Industries reliant on the port, such as sugar refineries and ag equipment manufacturers, appear to face more imminent challenges, while longer term supply chain disruptions may lead to increased prices and logistical hurdles for farmers awaiting inputs,” the AFBF said.

Nearby sugar refineries have assured customers they have six to eight weeks of raw sugar on hand before operations could potentially be impacted.

Roll on/roll off (Ro/Ro) vehicles, which includes farm and construction machinery, are common through the Port of Baltimore, the AFBF said. Since 2022, the volume of Ro/Ro vehicles has surpassed automobiles.

“The inability of farmers, domestically or internationally, to receive equipment they ordered could have a significant impact as spring planting season arrives,” the AFBF said.