The Economic and Environmental Value of the United States Crop Distribution Network
May 15, 2025
USDA AMS Report: The US crop distribution system transports millions of tons of crops from the Corn Belt to export ports using roads, rail, and rivers. Weather extremes, such as flash floodings, tornadoes, and winter storms can disrupt this distribution network, raising both economic and environmental costs. This study assesses how extreme weather impacts the cost of transporting corn and soybeans and the associated environmental emissions.