Agricultural supply chain chokepoints in the Americas
Most agricultural trade in the Americas flows through just a few chokepoints. Disruptions for both inputs and outputs ripple through agri-food markets, raising costs and threatening supply security.
THE PANAMA CANAL
The century-old canal saves weeks of shipping time between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, carrying millions of tons of agri-food commodities. But recently, canal governance disputes have created instability, while severe droughts have lowered water levels, cutting vessel traffic, increasing wait times, and driving up shipping costs.
BRAZIL’S SOUTHERN PORTS
AMBASSADOR BRIDGE
The busiest US-Canada land border crossing carries 25% of all goods between the two countries, with most being agri-food products. The century-old bridge is slated to be replaced by a new Gordie Howe International Bridge, promising to ease congestion.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER SYSTEM
92% of US agricultural products and 78% of the world’s feed grains and soy pass through the Mississippi River Basin. Droughts have stranded barges and cut loads by 15%, while hurricanes have shut Gulf ports, leaving outdated infrastructure vulnerable to breakdowns and costly delays.
The ports of Santos, Paranaguá, Rio Grande and São Francisco do Sul handle nearly 95% of Brazil's agricultural exports and 25% of global soybean exports. But outdated equipment and underinvestment cause delays, amounting to significant financial losses. Investment is needed to increase export capacity.
BRAZIL’S INLAND ROAD NETWORK
About 87% of Brazil's agricultural products move by road, but over twothirds of its roads are in poor condition, causing delays, waste, and product loss. Heavy rains, flooding, and chronic underinvestment hamper exports.
Sources:2025:BrazilianConfederationofAgricultureandLivestock,NationalParkService,SeatradeMaritimeNews.2024:InvestigateMidwest,MichiganFarmBureau. 2023:ChathamHouse,bnamericas,CNBC.2022:Reuters.2021:FarmProgress.
