Cargill uses waterways to connect farmers to global markets
Cargill connects farmers to global food markets through its extensive network of rivers, ports, and ocean routes, bolstering the efficiency and resilience of the global food supply chain.
Agricultural giant Cargill is leveraging its extensive network of waterways to connect farmers with global markets and enhance worldwide food security.
The company operates an integrated system of grain terminals, river and ocean ports, and shipping vessels that efficiently transport harvests from inland production areas to international destinations. This network is crucial for feeding a growing global population often located far from food-producing regions.
In Brazil, Cargill utilizes inland waterways like the Tapajós River to move crops such as corn hundreds of kilometers from farms to coastal export facilities. These operations, including the transport of 30,000 metric tons of grain from Miritituba, are part of a broader effort to streamline the food supply chain. The company is also investing in infrastructure, such as expanding storage capacity and upgrading loading equipment, to increase efficiency and throughput.
Similarly, in Canada, Cargill's grain terminal in Sarnia, Ontario, utilizes the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway system. This corridor offers a 3,700-kilometer deep-draft navigation route from North America's interior to the Atlantic Ocean, linking local farmers' crops with international customers and underscoring the significance of these waterways for global agricultural trade.
Cargill emphasizes that its infrastructure and supply chain management are vital for ensuring food moves safely, reliably, and more sustainably. The company's actions on waterways aim not only to improve supply chain resilience but also to reduce emissions and support global food security.