The coincidence of the expected peak of the Covid-19 epidemic in Brazil and Argentina with the soybean export season of April and May has sparked concerns in major buyer China, as roadblocks and sickness among transport workers create logistical problems.
During a press conference on the subject in early April, Wei Baigang of the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture made it clear that the government was focusing on soybeans, one of the few essential foodstuffs that China imports in massive quantities. Imported soybeans are mainly used to feed China’s vast hog population.
“[We] will strengthen coordination with exporting countries and continue...