The Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC) held its 38th Annual Meeting in Tacoma – the largest annual gathering of U.S. agricultural shippers sourcing and delivering to international markets. The three-day event held May 18–20, attracted more than 550 participants, including AgTC members, port authorities, ocean carriers, motor carriers, third-party logistics providers (3PLs), and industry associations.

AgTC is the principal national voice for agricultural exporters on U.S. transportation policy, representing producers and shippers who depend on ocean shipping to reach global customers. Its Annual Meeting brings together attendees from across the country for policy discussions, carrier engagement, and industry collaboration.  As the key voice for agricultural exporters, AgTC works to identify and address critical challenges, helping its members efficiently reach global markets.

The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) appreciates AgTC and its members for selecting Tacoma as the host city for its Annual Meeting since 2018. In addition to bringing the agricultural export community to the region, the event generates more than $600,000 in business sales and over $20,000 in tax revenue for the local economy.

The NWSA gateway - comprising the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma - ranks among the top agricultural export gateways in the United States. It is the largest gateway for apples and potatoes and a leading gateway for hay. It is also the second-largest U.S. gateway for containerized refrigerated exports. Deepwater terminals, strong intermodal connections, and proximity to major agricultural production regions make NWSA a critical link in the U.S. agricultural export supply chain.

"We were thrilled to welcome the AgTC back to Tacoma," said NWSA Co-Chair and Port of Tacoma Commissioner President Dick Marzano. "The Pacific Northwest is home to a world-class export gateway, and agriculture is at the heart of what moves through our terminals. We appreciated the opportunity to host this important gathering of shippers, carriers, and policymakers who are working to strengthen the agricultural supply chain."

“The AgTC's presence in Tacoma reflects the deep ties between this gateway and the agricultural export community," said NWSA Co-Chair and Port of Seattle Commission President Ryan Calkins. "Moving agricultural products efficiently and reliably to global markets is core to what we do, and we're honored to again provide the backdrop for these critical industry conversations.”

About the Northwest Seaport Alliance
The Northwest Seaport Alliance is a strategic partnership between the Port of Seattle and the Port of Tacoma, formed in 2015 to enhance the competitiveness of the Seattle-Tacoma gateway in the global shipping market. As one of the largest port systems in North America, the NWSA plays a vital role in driving regional economic growth by handling a significant volume of containerized, breakbulk, and Ro-Ro cargo annually, connecting businesses to global markets and supporting a robust supply chain. Learn more at: nwseaportalliance.com.

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