Vertically Integrated Farming and China Buys Brazilian Soybeans
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.
**Trends in the food supply chain and changes in consumer behavior could incentivize farmers to vertically integrate their businesses.
For decades, USDA data shows farmers selling fresh commodities have seen a declining share of the money consumers spend on fresh food, from about 40 cents of every food dollar in 1950 to 9 cents today.
In turn, the value of farm products has been increasingly captured by processors, retailers and food service.
**China is ramping up its orders from Brazil to fill its soybean needs after it met the initial shipment volume from the U.S.
Over the past week, Chinese importers have booked at least 25 cargoes of beans for March and April.
Bloomberg reports China has committed to buying at least 25 million tons of U.S. soybeans annually through 2028, which means they might come back for more American shipments this year.
**President Trump says he’s raising tariffs on South Korean imports by 25%.
The BBC says this comes after the President accused Seoul of not living up to the trade deal it reached with the U.S. in 2024.
In a social media post, Trump said he’ll increase levies on South Korea from 15% on products like cars, lumber, and “other reciprocal tariffs.”
South Korea has reportedly asked Washington for urgent talks to rectify the issue.
