4.1.2 Logistics processes
The logistic process of procurement, storage and distribution of soybeans includes various stages,
in which either one or several agents are involved. The shipping process starts at the farm gate
from where the product is transported via road to its next destination. Most of the harvested
volume is carried to a regional warehouse, where post harvest management measures are applied
and classification takes place. Only small volumes (no detailed data available) are directly
shipped to the seaport. Figure 4.3 illustrates an exemplary structure of the export process including
the involved participants, assuming that the soybeans are stored off-farm and sold to a trading
company that organizes the handling of the product from farm gate until ship loading.