Soybean exports are one of the US major sources of export revenue. China is the biggest consumer of soybeans that are exported, about half the US crop. The US competes with Brazil for the Far East soybean market.
Most soybeans to China are for pig feed. However, they can be used to produce biofuel as well.
The new port, in Aberdeen, WA, near Seattle and Tacoma, will export soybean meal. Six state Soybean Associations will chip in to cover the cost, along with the Soy Transportation Coalition. They’ll contribute $900K of the cost.
The terminal will have rail service, involving an interchange between the BNSF and UP main lines, which are predominant in service to Midwest farmers and their elevators, and the Puget Sound and Pacific line, which goes right to the port.
Like the agricultural shipping terminal near Oakland, CA, this facility ought to be of great value in exporting soybean products.
Elsewhere, corn farmers in the US Midwest are worried that railroad inefficiency and poor reliability will prevent grain exports from being shipped as the harvest comes on. A good summary of the situation is in the second article.
Many elevators rely on rail transport to get their grain to a port for export. Some can use barges down the Mississippi, but others, in locations more than 200 mi. from a Mississippi port, use rail at local sidings at elevators. Railroads will need to up their game to support the US export market for agricultural products.
Joanna Marsh Thursday, September 1, 2022
Midwest soybean farmers to help pay for Pacific Northwest export terminal – FreightWaves
Joanna Marsh Friday, September 2, 2022
Grain shippers eye hiccups on rail network
Supply Chain and Logistics 