MANKATO, MINNESOTA, US — Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) members who export Identity Preserved grains and oilseeds continue to have major difficulties getting the equipment they need to fulfill their orders and meet the needs of their overseas customers, the alliance said, citing ongoing supply chain woes that include continued lack of service, carrier cancelations, delays, and rising freight rates and fees.

Many containers bringing consumer imports to the United States continue to be sent back overseas empty instead of inland where ag processors have supplies ready to be shipped, said SSGA, based in Mankato, Minnesota, US. Some SSGA members have reported they are able to ship just 40% to 60% of their orders because of continuing supply chain issues.

“Specialty agriculture needs containers for food grade exports due to a food supply chain that has reached a condition critical situation,” said Rob Prather, SSGA chairman and chief strategic ambassador for Global Processing, an Iowa-based company that grows, processes and supplies Identity Preserved, non-GMO soybeans and soy ingredients. “This isn’t just a global supply chain issue; it’s a global food supply security issue.”

SSGA supported the Ocean Shipping Reform Act that overwhelmingly passed the US House of Representatives in December and is encouraging the US Senate to move forward with the legislation, which SSGA said would strengthen the Shipping Act and prohibit ocean carriers from unreasonably declining opportunities for US exports.

SSGA is hosting Transportation Go! March 3-4 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US. The shipping conference addresses soybean and grain transportation and trade issues in the Upper Midwest. For more information or to register, visit transportationgo.com.