Analysts say a combination of Marubeni and Gavilon makes sense commercially, with Gavilon's presence in the central Plains and Midwest fitting in well with Marubeni's PNW channels, including Columbia Grain at Terminal 5 in Portland.
Marubeni said in 2009 it signed a letter of intent with Sinograin, a Chinese state firm, to “work closely in coming years” to build state reserves and commercial grain supplies.
“Chinese companies do not want to be deeply involved in the U.S. domestic grain business because they’re well aware of the political sensitiveness of the farm sector,” said Noriyuki Chino, a veteran trader and president of Continental Rice.
But Japanese traders — massive buyers of U.S. grain for decades — are viewed no differently than a Cargill or an ADM.