By Blake Jackson
AGP, an Omaha-based cooperative operating ten soybean processing plants across the Midwest, announced a significant expansion of its export terminal at the Port of Grays Harbor in March 2022.
This upgrade will include additional storage at Terminal 2 and a new ship loader at Terminal 4, aimed at increasing annual soybean meal exports from 3 million to over 6 million metric tons.
The improvements are expected to be operational between late 2025 and early 2026, with the St. Joseph, Missouri processing plant supplying much of the added soybean meal for export.
To support this growth, the Port of Grays Harbor will invest in 40,000 feet of railroad track, a new fendering system, and a stormwater treatment facility, in addition to expanding cargo storage by over 30 acres.
These upgrades will enhance the port's ability to manage the increased export volume while minimizing local surface traffic disruptions.
The expansion project is being supported by a $1.3 million contribution from the Soy Transportation Coalition and other soybean farmer organizations.
This funding was committed in the fall of 2022 to help cover pre-engineering, design, and site development costs for the Terminal 4 Expansion.
The Soy Transportation Coalition's board members presented the ceremonial check during their summer 2024 meeting, demonstrating their ongoing support for infrastructure projects that benefit U.S. soybean farmers.
"The soybean industry is currently experiencing a number of challenges. It is therefore very important for soybean farmer organizations to promote any opportunity to increase the efficiency of our exports. The expansion project at the Port of Grays Harbor is an excellent example of this," said Tim Gottman, Soy Transportation Coalition Vice Chairman and Missouri Soybean Farmer.
Mike Steenhoek, Executive Director of the Soy Transportation Coalition, emphasized, "Soybean farmers have recognized that infrastructure can either be an impediment to farmer profitability and success, or it can be a facilitator of farmer profitability and success."
In October 2022, the Port of Grays Harbor received a $25.5 million grant from the U.S. Maritime Administration’s Port Infrastructure Development Program for the expansion project.
AGP’s strong relationship with Southeast Asian customers makes this expansion critical for enhancing speed, capacity, and product availability.
Lowell Wilson, AGP’s Chairman, stated, "This project at the port will significantly improve speed, capacity, and product availability for the benefit of our current and future customers."
Photo Credit: missouri-soybeans
Categories: Missouri, Business, Crops, Soybeans