By Helen Lewis
The Big Easy Magazine
Many people in New Orleans don’t realize how crucial the Port of New Orleans is not only for Louisiana’s, but also the United States’ economy. Without it, both would be up a river without a port.
“In Louisiana, we have about 8.3 million acres of row crops,” explained Mike Strain, the Agricultural Commissioner for Louisiana. “The majority of our commodities are exported and when you look at the United States, one in three acres of America’s production is exported. Right now, 65% of the nation’s agricultural commodities that are exported come right down the river.”
Right down the river, and right through the Port of New Orleans. While bulk grains, grain products, and edible oils are exported through the port, the dominant product is poultry.