USA — Soyabean producers in the USA have pledged US$900,000 to help offset some of the pre-engineering, design, and site development costs of AG Processing’s terminal expansion and redevelopment project at the Port of Grays Harbour in Aberdeen, Washington.

The Nebraska Soybean Board, the Iowa Soybean Association, the Kansas Soybean Commission, the North Dakota Soybean Council, the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, and the Soy Transportation Coalition are among the groups that have pledged their financial support.

As part of the expansion, AGP said it plans to upgrade its current facilities at Terminal 2, including the construction of additional storage, and the addition of a new ship loader at POGH’s Terminal 4.

Terminal 2 and Terminal 4 are both deep-water berths with quick access to the open ocean, AGP said, and the planned expansion will enable AGP to load multiple ships up to and including Panamax-sized vessels.

The US soybean production forecast in marketing year 2022-23 (September-August) is heading towards a record haul of around 124 million mt. Soybean harvesting in the US is underway and by September 18, 3% of the area under soybeans was threshed, which is 2% more than on the same date last year and on average over the past five years, Grain On-Line reports.

AGP’s expansion project at the Port of Grays Harbor is arguably the most immediate opportunity for soybean farmers to assist with the need for increased soybean meal export capacity

Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition

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“With more future soybean processing in this country, farmers are very interested in opportunities to assist with the increased need for soybean meal export capacity,” said Jonathan Miller, a soybean farmer from Island, Kentucky, US, and chairman of the Soy Transportation Coalition.

“The more we can export a higher value product, like soybean meal, farmers will benefit. I am proud of how these soybean farmer organizations are demonstrating their commitment to their fellow producers by making this significant investment.”

Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition, added, “AGP’s expansion project at the Port of Grays Harbor is arguably the most immediate opportunity for soybean farmers to assist with the need for increased soybean meal export capacity. The Soy Transportation Coalition and other farmer organizations are pleased to partner in this important project.”

Gary Nelson, executive director of the POGH, noted that AGP has been “an excellent partner” over the past 20 years, and the POGH is excited to continue to collaborate with them on this major expansion.

AGP said it expects operations at the port to begin in 2025, with final construction decisions and timeline contingent on negotiations with federal, state, local, and POGH officials regarding economic development incentives, lease terms, infrastructure improvements and regulatory considerations.

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