Grain & Field Bean Wholesalers Industry Profile

Companies in this industry distribute grains, such as corn, wheat, barley, and oats, and unpolished rice; dry beans; and soybeans and other inedible beans. Major companies include Archer-Daniels-Midland, Bunge, Cargill, and farmer-owned cooperative CHS (all headquartered in the US), along with Louis Dreyfus (the Netherlands).

Global revenue from corn, wheat, soybean, and rice production is about $800 billion annually, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. China is the largest cultivator of corn, the world's most-produced crop, as well as rice and wheat, followed by India and the US. The US is the largest cultivator of soybeans, followed by Brazil. Demand for grain crops is expected to grow in developing countries, where populations, wealth, and meat consumption are increasing rapidly.

Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM), Bunge, Cargill and Louis Dreyfus (collectively known as the ABCD companies) are dominant traders of grain globally. However, traders such as Olam and Wilmar International (both based in Singapore) are quickly establishing a global presence.

The US grain and field bean merchant wholesalers industry includes about 4,800 establishments (single-location companies or units of multi-location companies) that generate annual revenue of about $220 billion.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand is driven by food and fuel consumption. Increasing consumption of meat products has fueled significant growth in demand for animal feed, which is made from crops such as soy and corn. Also, growth of the biofuels industry has increased demand for ...