To avoid militant attacks on the Red Sea, major commercial shipping companies have rerouted traffic around the Horn of Africa or docked ships in safe locations. Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance Chair Bob Sinner, who is also a partner in SB & B Foods at Casselton, North Dakota, is closely monitoring the situation. “Anytime we get into a situation like what is happening on the Red Sea and affecting the Suez Canal, that is a big deal for companies shipping east. It significantly changes their transit time; there’s more congestion, more interruptions.” Most of the food-grade soybeans and identity-preserved grains coming out of this region are exported through Western ports. However, the impact will likely be seen globally. “When you interrupt trade flows and schedules, it is going to have a domino or an indirect effect on schedules worldwide.” The Midwest generally exports more products than it imports. As a result, Sinner said the supply of containers is chronic problem in the region.
