12 Million Tons in 2 Months ‘is Doable’

The U.S. and China have reached a trade deal, but Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek says it won’t mean much if it isn’t specific or enforceable. “Having some degree of specificity, that’s important.” The deal calls for China to purchase 12 million tons of soybeans by the end of the year. “It’s very much within our bandwidth to be able to export 12 million metric tons over that period of time (2 months),” said Steenhoek. “Normally, this is the time when soybeans are the preeminent export for U.S. agriculture. Because of this impasse with China and soybeans, we haven’t seen as much activity in soybean exports. Corn has kind of replaced that, and we’re going to have to make a switch back once a deal is finalized. There will be some adjustments for that, but it is very doable.”