DAVIDSONVILLE, MD – Today, Maryland Farm Bureau (MDFB) President Jamie Raley issued the following statement over the full reopening of the Port of Baltimore, following an 11-week closure due to the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

“We are thrilled that the Port of Baltimore has now been fully reopened,” says Jamie Raley, President of MDFB. “This is a welcome development for our farmers who are eagerly awaiting fertilizers that are essential for harvest season. A special thank you goes out to our local, state, and federal partners for their diligence in reopening this vital asset of our agricultural economy.”

As the largest U.S. port by volume for handling farm and construction machinery, the Port of Baltimore plays a pivotal role in Maryland’s agricultural sector. It is instrumental in the import of necessary supplies and the export of key agricultural products, including soybean exports valued at an impressive $243 million.

In April, MDFB Board Member and Frederick County grain farmer Belinda Burrier underscored the significance of agriculture at the Port of Baltimore in a letter to the Baltimore Banner. The Maryland Farm Bureau plans to closely monitor the port’s reopening to ensure a smooth transition and continued support for Maryland farmers.