An agreement was reached over the weekend between operators of ports along the West Coast and the union that represents the longshoremen who work on those ports. The agreement ensures that port operations will resume at full speed after months of cargo moving slowly through the 29 ports covered by the agreement.The agreement, which was announced on Friday, is a huge relief for growers and handlers of fresh produce who either receive imports or ship goods overseas through West Coast ports. California's orange growers were especially worried that a prolonged labor dispute would cut into their ability to export fruit. The timing of the labor resolution comes just as the export season for California's citrus growers hit high gear. If no agreement was reached, citrus exports from California could have suffered significantly.
“There's no 'plan b' if there is no agreement reached,” said Mike Roberts, sales manager for Suntreat, speaking before the deal on Friday was announced. “Right now is when people need to be packing as heavy as they can. We have about another month where we can do decent export business.” Now that the ports are back to normal, California's citrus growers can take advantage of that business.