As the global marketplace becomes more involved with knowing where their food comes from, they start to become pickier about the products they buy. Every customer has the right to want a certain product. However, it becomes a balancing act to determine when the buyer has reasonable requests or something that is way out of the realm of possibility for any producer to meet. Some of these preferences are attainable and understandable. Others are fickle and not based on science. The American Soybean Association (ASA) is aware of this and is working to generate more business and meet the needs of its customers.
In recent years, the European Union (EU) has become increasingly vocal in the standards they want commodities to be up to before they will buy them. Some of this is possible to do, and some borders on ridiculous and protectionist. ASA President Brad Doyle of Arkansas talks about the challenges facing soybeans in places like the EU. Doyle recently returned from a trade trip to Europe and talked heavily about GMO soy.
Doyle says his area of the southern Delta region, they see earlier produced soybeans that are available for earlier exports. He talks about the logistical challenges they had getting their beans to port with Hurricane Ida. This put a cramp on this year?s global exports. However, these facilities are back up and running.
Of course, profitability is top of mind when we look to market our products. Producers want to get the most from their input dollars. However, the fertilizer and input supply chain issues are putting a cramp on production and could cause more shifting to soybean acres, which would lower prices.
