Nearly 200 agricultural organizations urged the White House on Friday morning to address U.S. agriculture supply chain issues, in light of a possible East and Gulf Coast ports strike that could start on Tuesday.

According to the groups, there are "imminent and serious shipping disruptions", including a possible work stoppage and snarled railroad lines, which can impede grain barge shipments, and historically low river levels, which impact trade with Mexico.

The groups requested that the federal government direct the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredge lower Mississippi River in order to maintain 12-foot deep channels and to step in to restore the rail movement of grain from the U.S. into Mexico. Reporting by P.J. Huffstutter, David Shepardson and Chizu Nomiyama; editing by Chizu nomiyama).

(source: Reuters)