Even though COVID-19 has hit many businesses in the U.S. hard, the grain industry appears to be holding its own and maybe even enjoying an increase.
“In many regards our exports are up this year, since June, compared to last year,” Glen Squires, chief executive officer of the Washington Grain Commission, told The Lewiston Tribune.
He noted it’s difficult to pinpoint a particular reason for the growing market because so much of what happens in the international market depends on crops in other parts of the world, such as Australia and the Black Sea region.
“All of that stuff becomes part of the whole picture,” Squires said. “COVID is just another part.”
There’s no doubt the side effects of the pandemic, resulting in stay-at-home orders, restaurants shutting down, and inaccessibility of goods have had a day-to-day effect on personal incomes. But when people are staying home more, that might translate into a bump in sales for grain products.
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