ADM halts operations at Iowa soybean processing plant

Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM) will temporarily halt operations at its sole soybean processing plant in Iowa, in the United States, the information was published by Reuters. The shutdown could last several weeks. This could affect the supply of soybean meal.

The temporary suspension of activities at the unit, located in Des Moines, reduces market options for soybean producers at a time considered critical by the sector. Low grain prices have reduced farmers' income.

According to ADM, the plant will be closed from mid-October until November for maintenance work. The company said the closure had been planned in advance. "We anticipated this project and have plans in place to ensure we can meet customer needs throughout this period," the company said in a statement cited by Reuters.

ADM's Iowa facility processes about 5 million bushels of soybeans per month (one bushel of soybeans equals 27,216 kilograms).

The company did not elaborate on the reasons for the shutdown. The plant was included in a lawsuit settlement reached with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources in 2023 aimed at improving air quality.

The U.S. soybean crushing industry has expanded in recent years, with plants opening to meet growing demand for vegetable oils, particularly as biofuel production increases. Despite the increased capacity, soybean crushing in August fell to its lowest level in nearly three years. Several plants in the U.S. were temporarily shut down for maintenance and repairs.

À Cultivar Magazine, ADM said: "ADM's Des Moines soybean processing plant will be down for planned critical maintenance from mid-October through November. We have made provisions for this project and have plans in place to ensure we can meet customer needs throughout this period by utilizing our extensive transportation, origination and processing network."