U.S. Meat Export Federation Vice President of Communications Joe Schuele reports a tentative agreement has been reached with unions representing East and Gulf Coast port dock workers. The contract was settled as port operators were preparing to restrict refrigerated and frozen cargo ahead of the January 15 strike deadline.

Schuele said that every week the port would have been shut down would have created a $100 million negative impact on export sales. Some frozen meat exporters could have diverted products to the West Coast, but many shippers of chilled-never frozen products must use the East and Gulf Coast ports.

Ag product buyers and sellers will now have stability due to a six-year contract. The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance have agreed to continue operating under the current contract until a ratification vote is scheduled.

Read more about the agreement between the ILA and the U.S. Maritime Alliance here.