September 13, 2022

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Corn Refiners Association (CRA) and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) urged lawmakers to take action to prevent a freight rail work stoppage that would cripple U.S. agricultural production and supply chains and exacerbate food price inflation. In letters sent to Congress and the White House, the groups expressed that freight rail service disruptions in preparation for a work stoppage are already having consequences that will be quick, global and dire.

“It is critical that our nation avoid a freight rail work stoppage. Amid shocking rates of inflation and other unrelated rail service failures, America’s corn growers, refiners and consumers cannot afford further disruptions in our domestic supply chain,” said John Bode, President and CEO of the Corn Refiners Association. “A setback of this scale would severely impact American farmers and our economy on a global scale.”

Railroads originate 24% of U.S. grain shipments, of which approximately half (691,000 carloads) is corn. In preparation for a potential work stoppage, grain shipments scheduled for Thursday of this week are being cancelled and almost all Class I rail service is expected to halt on Friday. Other rail carriers are expected to discontinue operations shortly after Class I carriers due to connectivity issues.

You can view the full letter here.

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The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) is the national trade association representing the corn refining industry of the United States. CRA and its predecessors have served this important segment of American agribusiness since 1913. Corn refiners manufacture sweeteners, starch, advanced bioproducts, corn oil and feed products from corn components such as starch, oil, protein and fiber.