New soya terminal

Global animal feed trader and supply chain operator ADM Arkady has signed a long-term contract with Peel Ports Group.

Emerging countries’ growing demand for meat, and weather events in many grain-producing countries, have driven the trade in cereals and animal feeds in recent years.

Brazil faces deep financial, economic and political problems, but investments in its grain trades and materials handling sector could help an export recovery.

Brazil’s abundance of grain offers hope in an otherwise depressed dry bulk shipping sector, but poor transport infrastructure means exporting to world markets is not always cost-effective.

Grain exports were generally down in the Black Sea region in the first few months of 2015, but there are success stories, and healthy interest in investment opportunities.

US agri-business Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) in late October launched a A$2.7B bid for Australia’s GrainCorp which, if successful, would leave the nation’s grain sector in predominantly foreign hands.