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Mississippi River levels still low, concern U.S. Soy

Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek says Mississippi River levels at Memphis, Tennessee continues to be a problem for barge movement. “You’re only as strong as your weakest link. You eventually have to pass through that constricted area. These challenges at one link in the supply chain has an impact on the entire system.” NOAA says the river is still nine feet below normal at Memphis. Recent rains in Missouri helped boost levels to above normal in St. Louis. Farmers are facing storage challenges due to ongoing shipping delays. Steenhoek says it is similar to what farmers in North Dakota faced during the height of the trade war. “All of a sudden, there were grain elevators that weren’t even offering bids or accepting deliveries. Farmers resorted to doing something else. There were very abnormal deliveries.” The majority of U.S. soybeans are exported via barge.