UNITED STATES - As the conflict with Iran continues, rising prices and supply disruptions have been felt at home. To combat this stress, the Trump administration announced on Wednesday, March 18, that it would enact a 60-day waiver of Jones Act shipping regulations.

"President Trump’s decision to issue a 60-day Jones Act waiver is just another step to mitigate the short-term disruptions to the oil market as the U.S. military continues meeting the objectives of Operation Epic Fury," White House spokeswoman ⁠Karoline Leavitt said to Reuters. “This action will allow vital resources like oil, natural gas, fertilizer, and coal to flow freely to U.S. ports for sixty days, and the Administration remains committed to continuing to strengthen our critical supply chains.”

Since the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, 2026, gasoline prices have surged. Iran has effectively blocked off the Strait of Hormuz, the outlet for roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquified natural gas supplies.

The conflict has also disrupted fertilizer supplies, a major concern for U.S. agricultural producers.

According to Reuters, under the Jones Act, goods shipped between U.S. ports must be carried on vessels that are U.S.-built, U.S.-flagged, and mostly U.S.-owned. This requirement limits the number of tankers available for domestic shipments, but is supported by maritime industry unions.

Analysts noted that waiving the rule temporarily would allow foreign ships to carry cargoes between U.S. ports, ⁠potentially lowering shipping costs and speeding deliveries, but the impact on pump prices will likely be minimal.

Keep reading ANUK for the latest in global events shaping ag.

FLORA, MS - Hydroponic grower Salad Days has reached full operational capacity at its newly completed 68,000-square-foot controlled-environment agriculture facility in Flora, positioning the Mississippi-based company as one of the Southeast’s largest regional suppliers of greenhouse-grown lettuce.

The St. Patrick’s Day ribbon-cutting at Flora Industrial Park marked the official launch of the high-tech facility, which uses Prospiant greenhouse systems and FGM moving-table automation to produce up to 3 million heads of lettuce annually for distribution across the Southeast.

State and local officials attending the event included Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson, USDA Mississippi Director Dane Maxwell, Madison County Economic Development Authority Executive Director Joey Deason, and Flora Mayor Les Childress.

The new greenhouse significantly expands Salad Days’ production capacity and enables year-round supply of hydroponic lettuce varieties for foodservice operators and grocery retailers across Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama and Florida.

The facility uses controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) to deliver pesticide-free leafy greens while maintaining consistent production regardless of seasonal conditions.

“This expansion moves us from a niche grower to a scaled regional supplier,” said Leigh Bailey, president of Salad Days. “Demand from chefs and retailers across the Southeast has outpaced what we could produce for years. With this facility fully online, we can finally deliver the volume the market has been asking for.”

Product from the Flora operation is now shipping daily to restaurants, foodservice distributors, and regional and national grocery chains.

According to a press release, the project received support from the City of Flora, Madison County Economic Development Authority, the Mississippi Land Water & Timber Board, the Mississippi Development Authority, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Deason said the investment further strengthens Madison County’s growing specialty food manufacturing and agriculture cluster, commenting, “Facilities like this demonstrate that advanced agriculture can thrive in Mississippi.”

Additionally, Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson noted the project reflects increasing diversification within the state’s agricultural sector, adding, “A facility of this scale producing fresh food for the Southeast highlights Mississippi’s leadership in agricultural innovation.”

Learn more about Salad Days at saladdaysproduce.com.