Although the port workers strike in Vancouver is affecting many sectors across Canada, the grain industry doesn’t seem to be one of them at this point.
Agricultural commentator Kevin Hursh says bulk grain ships continue to be serviced on the west coast, as it was part of the strike agreement. However, the problem is with container shipments. Hursh says CP rail is doing very well right now, whereas CN is falling behind in terms of the percentage of orders it is able to fill. Hursh says there is a bottleneck of container shipments that aren’t moving, including pulse crops, specialty crops, and fertilizer.
About 7,400 workers at the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada have been on strike since Canada Day, pausing most cargo handling at the Port of Vancouver, Canada’s busiest harbor.