Mexican truckers blockaded a key Texas border crossing for a second day to protest Governor Abbott’s increased cargo inspections.
The growing queue of 18-wheelers on the Mexican side of the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge has choked crossings to a halt, according to a spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. With temperatures forecast to reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius), produce hauled in unrefrigerated trucks is at risk of spoiling at a time of already rampant food inflation. The crossing normally sees about $35 billion in annual trade.
The dispute stems from Abbott’s decision just days ago to dispatch state police to inspect shipments flowing north into Texas in what he said would “ensure that Texans are not endangered by unsafe vehicles and their unsafe drivers.”
Rio Grande Valley to San Antonio
Trucks that normally take a few hours to bring produce from the Rio Grande Valley to San Antonio are now taking days. Nando Gonzalez from River City Produce in San Antonio said they are still receiving shipments from Mexico, but the process is now being delayed. River City Produce sells wholesale to everyone from restaurants to stores. They ship all over the state of Texas.
“We’re seeing a couple hiccups. It’s trucking delays because they’re waiting at the border. Trucks that were typically waiting for a couple of hours are waiting for a couple of days. So there’s some frustration on that,” said Gonzalez.
Pointing out some pallets of the produce that they received from the Rio Grande Valley this morning, Gonzalez said: “These came in on one of the trucks from the Valley, one of our trucks. There’s stuff that’s crossing. It’s just taking a little bit longer.”
It is reported that because of the backlog, the produce ultimately takes longer to get to their customers.
