Iran Oilseeds and Vegetable Oil Factories Co-operative Co

As the world is consuming more meat, the U.S. soybean harvest in 2017 yielded crops with less protein, a key ingredient that helps build muscle in animals.

At a time when people around the world are eating more meat, poultry and dairy products than ever before, American farmers may be losing ground to Brazil in the race to feed all those animals.

U.S. exports of feed crops already were expected to drop this year as producers in South America and Europe expand sales. But after some lousy weather in the Midwest this year, the harvest yielded soybeans with less protein, a key ingredient that helps build muscle in animals. At 34.1 per cent per bushel, the protein content was tied for 2008 as the lowest since it was first measured in 1986, government data show.

While U.S. exporters often have to contend with Brazilian soy that is higher in protein — at around 37 per cent — the widening quality gap could mean further erosion of demand from places like China, the world’s biggest buyer. Brazil’s shippers are trying to exploit the difference to sell more from last season’s record crop and to take advantage of expansions of export capacity, including new ports in northern parts of the country.

Source: thestar.com