I wouldn't necessarily lean towards great production shifts in other countries (outside of SA) in the short-term. The market needs time to figure out how to allocate current production to different avenues which will be lead by the ocean freight spreads. As we see more pressure on SA ports, we should see an adjustment in the ocean freight market to make non-traditional ports more attractive for other countries importing beans. Inquiries have been slow to materialize, but there are some showing up from non-typical destinations. My expectation is for these to increase as we go forward. Will they offset the loss of China's demand, IMO no. Within this situation, we have two big challenges to manage. First, getting the railroads to put tariffs in place to move grain thru non-traditional avenues. Second, logistically (infrastructure) the challenges of moving beans thru non-traditional avenues. All of this will come at a cost, unfortunately in the form a lower basis levels IMO which we will see in the export market and domestic market (export basis sets the pace). The biggest, most volatile cost component to basis is freight. Hopefully we resolve the trade war sooner than later, long term it definitely is not good to our market. |