Soybean shippers find containerised beans increase quality and prices

    MORE soybean shippers are using containers to ensure quality, such as protein, oil, grade, weight and moisture, which impacts on commodity pricing, according to a study, entitled "Quality Analysis of Containerised Illinois Soybean Shipments".

　　Conducted by Informa Economics and the Illinois Crop Improvement Association (ICIA) and commissioned by the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA), the study found that containerised soybeans can reach smaller customers abroad quickly and with quality intact.

　　Containers are an efficient and effective method to move soybeans to markets in Asia and Europe that cannot accept bulk shipments, said Informa Economics vice president Ken Eriksen.

　　Said soybean farmer and ISA director Paul Rasmussen: "End users, including the growing number of customers abroad who import containerised beans, determine price. Delivering the highest quality we can to the elevator will increase our bottom lines."

　　As yet, containerised soybeans only account for eight per cent of Illinois soybean exports.

　　Separately, the American Soybean Association (ASA) voiced displeasure at the news that the federal farm bill was voted down 195-234 in the House of Representatives.

　　"This bill would have promoted our products in foreign markets, strengthened the fast-growing biodiesel industry, enhanced conservation programmes. Now, none of those benefits can be realised," declared ASA president Danny Murphy, a Mississippi soybean farmer.