Canadian grain is in high demand as shippers try to feed a growing appetite from mills and governments seeking to shore up staple reserves amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Grain shipments at the Port of Thunder Bay doubled year over year in March, with vessels loading 200,000 tonnes last week and higher volumes expected to continue. Demand for wheat and durum at flour mills and pasta plants around the world is on the rise as customers stock up on staples, partly in preparation for extended lockdowns triggered by steps taken to contain the novel coronavirus. Shipments are expected to remain high through the May. Containerized grain, which includes chickpeas, beans, lentils and other “specialty crops” bound largely for India and China, are dropping along with other container shipments, however.
