U.S. Customs and Border Protection closed two rail bridges this week that move freight between Texas and Mexico due to a surge in the influx of migrants through Mexico by train but the move is impacting exports of agriculture and ethanol.

The Renewable Fuels Association joined dozens of commodity groups and other organizations in asking U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to reopen two rail bridges to Mexico, in El Paso and Eagle Pass, that are critical to reaching export markets south of the border. In 2022, Mexico was the fifth largest export market for U.S. ethanol, taking in more than 69 million gallons, and the largest international market for distillers grains, at over 2.2 million metric tons.

“For agriculture, nearly two-thirds of all U.S. agricultural exports to Mexico move via rail,” the letter states. “It was our second largest export market in 2022 with $28.5 billion in sales, and this year exports to Mexico have been a bright spot in a relatively down year for overall U.S. agricultural exports. Unfortunately, the crossing closures are causing exports to be lost. Each day the crossings are closed we estimate almost 1 million bushels of grain exports are potentially lost along with export potential for many other agricultural products.”

Joining RFA in the letter were more than 40 other organizations, including the National Corn Growers Association, National Grain and Feed Association, the American Chemistry Council, and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.