The North American Renderers Association (NARA) has joined a coalition of agricultural exporters in a concerted effort to urge the Biden Administration to address rail capacity constraints impacting U.S. agricultural exports to Mexico. The coalition has signed a joint letter to key U.S. agencies, including the Surface Transportation Board (STB), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United States Trade Representative (USTR), calling for a collaborative approach with Mexican counterparts and railway companies to resolve these issues.
Statement from NARA President & CEO Kent Swisher: "Mexico is one of our top export markets for rendered products, and the current rail situation impedes our ability to compete with other suppliers in the region. NARA worked with USDA and USTR to open the Mexico market for U.S. bovine meat and bone meal a few years ago, resulting in a significant increase in exports. We are concerned that these rail service issues could erode the progress that we’ve made."
In 2023, the U.S. exported approximately 155,000 metric tons of rendered animal protein meals to Mexico. Ensuring efficient and reliable rail service is crucial to maintaining this strong trade relationship and preventing Mexico from shifting its sourcing preferences to other countries.
The coalition's letter emphasizes the urgent need for increased investment and capacity in Mexico’s rail infrastructure to support the continued growth of agricultural exports.
