US exports struggle as drought-stricken Mississippi River shrinks

Water levels on the Mississippi River, one of the most critical supply lines of the country, are approaching their lowest levels in 30 years disrupting exports across the route.

The river route responsible for 92% of the country’s agricultural exports, is facing traffic congestion as the US Army Corps of Engineers struggles to clear the line through the shallows.

The issue has been building up for months since summer brought less rain than anticipated to most of the Plains and Midwest. The Mississippi River water levels usually decline in the fall and winter, but this October the levels fell way below average, leading to river drought.

Lack of rain in recent weeks in the Ohio River Valley and Upper Mississippi River Valley caused river water to drop along key parts of the river, slowing barge traffic. Low levels also raise concerns that saltwater intrusions in the Lower Mississippi could affect water supplies.

To put this into perspective, Vicksburg river levels had dropped to 0.66 feet (0.20 meters) by October 20, which is above the record low of -7.00 feet in 1940. However, in Memphis, the river level dropped to its lowest ever recorded at the site, to -10.79 feet on October 17.

The persisting issue could affect the global markets and increase the prices of grains and other commodities, adding to the price hike caused by the Russia-Ukraine war.

According to AccuWeather, the Mississippi River’s record low water level could hit the country’s economy by $20 billion.