KTVU’s news report shows the many headwinds facing shippers of perishable agricultural goods, including ocean carriers’ prioritizing lucrative imports over the exports of American-grown products. “Ocean carriers are delaying shipments or skipping them altogether,” they report.
One shipper said, “The vessel lines, which are mostly foreign-owned, are looking to make a fast buck.” Instead of dropping off shipments or picking up exports, they’re heading back to Asia where they can get 20-40 times more than Oakland’s exports.