Panama Canal Update: Drought Restrictions Create Backlog

Panama Canal drought restrictions expected to continue into 2024.
Panama Canal drought restrictions expected to continue into 2024.
(AgDay TV)

Prolonged drought and decreased water levels at the Panama Canal have led to shipping restrictions to conserve water.

The restrictions include limited the number of daily ship transits to 32, compared to the usual 36.

Canal authorities have announced their intention to maintain this limit, and it is expected to continue well into 2024.

As of last week, the restrictions have resulted in a backlog of 116-vessels waiting to cross the canal, which is the main route for about 60% of total cargo transported by container ships from Asia to the eastern coast of the U.S.

 

Latest News

AgDay Markets Now:  Darren Frye Says Grain Markets Post Higher Week but Will Need These Factors to Keep Rallying
AgDay Markets Now: Darren Frye Says Grain Markets Post Higher Week but Will Need These Factors to Keep Rallying

Darren Frye, Water Street Solutions, says the wheat rally came on weather and technical buying, which also helped corn and soybeans post a higher week. He's not sure it can continue without a bigger weather issue.

Why Did Jerry Gulke Make Some Last-Minute Planting Changes on His Farm?
Why Did Jerry Gulke Make Some Last-Minute Planting Changes on His Farm?

Gulke Group president Jerry Gulke explains why he made the last-minute decision to switch 200 acres of corn to soybeans.

Wheat Outlook 5-30-90 Days (4.26.24))
Wheat Outlook 5-30-90 Days (4.26.24))

Recap of the week's price action, advice and outlook broken down into the next 5, 30 and 90 day segments.

Grains Close Higher for the Week:  Does the Market Need to Rally and Add More Risk Premium or Not?
Grains Close Higher for the Week: Does the Market Need to Rally and Add More Risk Premium or Not?

Grains end mixed Friday but higher for the week led by wheat.  Cattle make new highs for the move helped by stronger cash.  Can the markets continue to move higher?  Darren Frye, Water Street Solutions, has the answers.

APHIS To Require Electronic Animal ID for Certain Cattle and Bison
APHIS To Require Electronic Animal ID for Certain Cattle and Bison

APHIS issued its final rule on animal ID that has been in place since 2013, switching from solely visual tags to tags that are both electronically and visually readable for certain classes of cattle moving interstate.

A Margin Squeeze is Setting in Across Row-Crop Farms, and 80% of Ag Economists Are Now Concerned It'll Accelerate Consolidation
A Margin Squeeze is Setting in Across Row-Crop Farms, and 80% of Ag Economists Are Now Concerned It'll Accelerate Consolidation

There's an immense amount of pressure riding on this year’s crop production picture, and with a margin squeeze setting in across farms, economists think it could accelerate consolidation in the row-crop industry.