Rice
Fundamental cereal, *Oryza sativa*, available in standard and premium grades. Includes parboiled, polished, husked, semi-milled, milled, and parboiled varieties. Classified by grain size: long (≥6.6 mm), medium (6.2-6.6 mm), and short (≤5.2 mm). Broken rice is of lower quality, used in baby food, cereals, etc.
Must be harmless, free from abnormal flavors/odors, and live insects or mites. Acceptable moisture content of 13%. Maximum limits for dirt (0.1% m/m), other foreign matter (0.5-1.5% m/m), and inorganic foreign matter (0.1% m/m). Broken grains are classified by size. Complies with Codex CX Stan 198 standard and FDA regulations (establishment registration, prior notice of shipments, traceability, monitoring of toxic/pesticide residues, and wood packaging material - WPM - treatment).
Main global exporters (2022-2023): India (US$11.4-11.7B), Thailand (US$4.5-5.3B), and Vietnam (US$2.8-3.8B). Asia concentrates 90.22% of world production. In America, Brazil is the main producer, followed by Argentina and Uruguay. Mexico is a significant importer, mainly from the USA and Uruguay.
Transport in ISO maritime containers. For dry grain, the following are used:
- **Plastic Bags:** For quantities less than 50 kg.
- **Polypropylene (PP) Sacks:** For quantities greater than 50 kg, ideal for keeping rice fresh and dry, with hermetic sealing.
- **Vacuum Bags:** Eliminate air to preserve freshness and reduce oxidation, preventing moisture and mold.
- **Flat-Bottom Bags and Stand-Up Pouches:** Optimize space and offer robust protection.
- **Bulk Containers:** Large containers, boxes, and woven sacks for commercial and wholesale volumes.
Moisture control (max. 13%) and UV protection are crucial. Bulk transport is carried out in bulk carriers or containers with internal linings (liners). Flexitanks are not suitable for transporting rice grain.
Corn
Annual grass, *Zea mays*, adaptable to various soils. Available in white corn varieties (mainly for human consumption in Mexico) and yellow corn (for animal feed and industrial use). We offer GMO (Genetically Modified) and Non-GMO options, adapting to market preferences and regulations.
Evaluated by grade factors (USDA FGIS):
- **Test Weight:** Indicator of quality and endosperm hardness.
- **Broken Corn and Foreign Material (BCFM):** Quantity of clean corn available.
- **Total Damage and Heat Damage:** Percentage of grains damaged by fungi, frost, insects, or heat.
Chemical composition (protein, starch, oil) of interest to end-users. Rigorous monitoring of mycotoxins (Aflatoxins, Deoxynivalenol - DON, Fumonisin, Ochratoxin A, T-2, Zearalenone) by the FDA. Compliance with international certifications such as Gafta (Grain and Feed Trade Association) and ISO 17025 for laboratories.
Main exporting countries (2022): United States (US$19.5B), Brazil (US$12.4B), and Argentina (US$10.0B). Main importers: China (US$6.8B), Japan (US$5.4B), and Mexico (US$5.1B). Mexico is the main destination for US corn exports (31% of volume).
Transport in ISO containers. Bulk transport is the preferred option to reduce costs and maximize space. The following are used:
- **Bulk Container Liners:** Woven polyethylene or PE film linings installed inside a 20-foot container. They provide protection against contamination, increase payload, and are recyclable.
- **Big Bags:** Large, flexible bags (up to 1m³) made of polyethylene or polypropylene, safe and versatile.
- **Natural Fiber Sacks:** Must be resistant, clean, and allow ventilation.
Loading is done with cranes, conveyor belts, front-end loaders, silos, and hoppers. Unloading can be by gravity or pneumatic pump. Flexitanks are not suitable for transporting corn grain.
Beans
Whole dried seeds, kidney-shaped, rich in carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, with low fat content and no cholesterol.
Sensory characteristics: Characteristic odor of dry, clean grain, free from odors of dampness, fermentation, rancidity, mold, putrefaction, or any other strange odor. Specific color (e.g., characteristic black for black beans, intense red for red beans). Characteristic flavor. Hard texture when dry. Cooked appearance: Should not remain hard, nor be excessively cooked within the established cooking time (90 min. to 2 hrs).
Physicochemical characteristics:
- **Moisture:** 10-13% for black beans; 13-14% for red beans; up to 16.5% for other varieties.
- **Impurities and Foreign Matter:** Very low limits (e.g., 0.40% stone, 0.20% other impurities).
- **Damaged Grains:** Tolerances for damage by weather agents (0.80%), fungi (0.50%), insects (0.40%), and germinal development (0.10%).
- **Defective Grains:** Include broken or cracked (0.90%), stained (0.50%), and blistered (0.70%).
Microbiological characteristics: Absence of *E. Coli* and *Salmonella*. Strict compliance with chemical residue legislation (EPA, FDA). Standard Sanitation Operating Procedures (SSOPs) mandatory. Packaging must be safe and not transmit toxic substances.
Main global producers (2020): India, Myanmar, Brazil, United States, China, and Tanzania. Argentina exports 67% of its production (mainly to Brazil, Spain, Italy, Turkey). Canada exports 78% (mainly to the United Kingdom, Italy). China exports to Japan and South Korea. Mexico imports mainly from the USA. El Salvador imports more than 90% from the USA, Nicaragua, and Ethiopia.
Transport in ISO maritime containers. Primary packaging consists of polypropylene sacks (25 kg or 45.45 kg).
An innovative solution is **Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)** with breathable bags (e.g., Lifepack®). These bags preserve quality and freshness, prevent decomposition and mold growth, reduce yellowing and weight loss. This reduces logistics costs by making sea and land transport viable over air freight, and expands the market by allowing prolonged cold storage.
Flexitanks are not applicable for transporting bean grain.
Soy
Oilseed legume, *Glycine max*, originating from Asia. Valued for its high fat and protein content, as well as carbohydrates, water, and ash. From a nutritional and commercial point of view, its main components are protein and fat. Available in GMO (Genetically Modified) and Non-GMO options.
Quality characteristics (according to market specifications):
- **Moisture:** Maximum 14%.
- **Oil Content:** Basis 18.5%.
- **Protein:** Between 34.5% and 35.5%.
- **Foreign Matter:** Basis 1%, maximum 2%.
- **Damaged Grains:** Basis 8%, maximum 8.5%.
- **Broken Grains:** Maximum 30%.
- **Greenish Grains:** Maximum 8%.
The Quality Standard for Soybean Commercialization in Argentina establishes specific tolerances for broken/cracked grains (up to 30%), damaged (up to 5%, including up to 1% dryer-burned), green (up to 10%), foreign matter (up to 3%, including 0.5% dirt), black grains (max. 1%), and moisture (max. 13.5%). Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Standard Sanitation Operating Procedures (SSOPs) apply. Traceability and prior notification to the FDA are essential.
Brazil and Bolivia are the main exporters of soy to distant markets such as the United States and China. Argentina is the main global exporter of soy meal and is particularly exposed to European regulations.
- **For Solid Grain:** Standard containers with **Dry Bulk Container Liners** (PP/PE linings) are used. These liners optimize packaging and transport costs, increase payload, improve loading efficiency, and maintain merchandise hygiene.
- **For Soybean Oil (Liquid):** The most efficient solution is **Flexitanks** (flexibags). These are flexible bags installed inside a standard 20-foot container.
- **Capacity:** Between 14,000 and 28,000 liters (commonly 16,000-24,000 liters, up to 27,000 liters or 26,000 kg).
- **Advantages:** Cost-effective and eco-friendly. Higher payload (up to 44% more than drums). Eliminate cleaning, disposal, and demurrage costs. They are single-use, preventing cross-contamination. They have food-grade approvals (FDA, EEC, Kosher, Halal, QS).
Coffee
Mainly *Coffea arabica*, known as organic coffee or high-grown coffee. Cultivated varieties include Typica, Bourbon, Maragogipe, Tabí, Caturra, and Colombia Variety. Green bean is characterized by its uniform green color, slightly closed groove, and pronounced curvature. When roasted, the bean exhibits regular roasting behavior. Grain size (granulometry) is an important classification factor. The cup profile describes moderate acidity, good body and sweetness, with notes of fruit and chocolate flavors. Ideal moisture is 10% to 12%. Shelf life is up to 6 months under suitable conditions.
Governed by strict quality standards. Key factors include:
- **Moisture:** 10% to 12%
- **Odor:** Characteristic fresh, free from strange odors.
- **Color (Appearance):** Characteristic of correctly processed coffee.
- **Defects:** Tolerances for Peeled Bean (max. 2% by weight - parchment basis), Guayaba and Half-Face (max. 3% by weight - parchment basis), and Pasilla (max. 5% by weight - bean basis).
- **Foreign Matter and/or Impurities:** Maximum 0.5% by weight.
- **Cup Test (Cupping):** Fundamental to ensure characteristic flavor and aroma, free from defective flavors (fermented, moldy, chemical, phenol). Coffees scoring above 80 points are classified as specialty coffees and are sold at a higher price.
Main global exporters (2023): Brazil (leader, ~30% of supply), Vietnam (2nd, Robusta), Colombia (3rd, Arabica, with a drop in 2023 due to rain and costs), Indonesia (4th), Honduras (largest producer in Central America), Ethiopia, Uganda, India, Mexico, and Peru. Production is sensitive to climatic factors.
Predominant transport in 20-foot containers (net weight ~17,250 kg). Packaging methods for green coffee:
- **Jute or Burlap Sacks:** Traditional method, 100% biodegradable and recyclable. Each sack stores 60-69 kg (approx. 300 sacks/container, ~18 tons).
- **Big Bags:** Made of polyethylene or polypropylene, store 900-1,000 kg per bag (19-20 tons/container). More economical and moisture-resistant than jute, though still permeable.
- **High-Barrier Sacks:** Made with low-permeability materials (plastic, metallized, paper, aluminum) for an impenetrable barrier against water vapor, oxygen, and light.
- **TranSafeliner:** Internal container linings that protect coffee quality during maritime transit, preventing oxidation and mold.
Protection against moisture and condensation is critical due to long maritime journeys. The use of hermetic packaging is vital. Flexitanks are not suitable for transporting coffee beans.
Cocoa
Dry, whole bean. For optimal cultivation, it requires average temperatures of 25-26°C, annual rainfall of 1500-3000 mm, and gentle winds (<14 km/h). Clean cocoa is stored in natural fiber (jute) sacks or food-grade sacks, new and dry. Shelf life of up to 2 years under suitable conditions.
Quality control is critical, with analyses based on specific standards (e.g., INEN 175, 176, 177 in Ecuador). Rigorous physicochemical parameters:
- **Moisture:** Maximum 7%.
- **Impurities:** Maximum 1%.
- **Molds:** Must not exceed 2 beans per 100 beans.
- **Damaged by Insects, Broken, Germinated:** Maximum 1 bean per 100 beans.
- **Bean Count:** Maximum acceptance value of 4% by count.
Cocoa is hygroscopic and sensitive to temperature and humidity changes, which can cause caking and mold. Optimal transport temperature is between 15 and 25°C. The **Regulations for Good Cocoa Storage and Marketing Practices (BPACC)** are fundamental to ensuring quality and safety.
Africa dominates world production (70%), with Côte d'Ivoire (leader, ~38% global) and Ghana (2nd) as main exporters. Other key exporters include Ecuador, Cameroon, Nigeria, Peru (fine and sustainable cocoa), and the Dominican Republic (leader in organic cocoa). Exports have been affected by extreme weather conditions (irregular rainfall, heatwaves, droughts).
Predominant transport in 20-foot containers. Primary packaging for grain is in 60 kg jute sacks.
To protect cocoa from moisture and temperature changes, **thermal solutions** are used:
- **Embatuff thermal liner:** Thermal lining for the interior of maritime containers.
- **Embacover:** Isothermal insulator for palletized products.
- **Isothermal box liners.**
These solutions provide thermal protection, moisture control (insulating from "container rain"), and isolation from odors/dirt. For organic cocoa transport, many importers require **ventilated or highly ventilated containers**. Palletization is a common practice, with pallet stacking heights not exceeding 2.00 meters. Flexitanks are not suitable for transporting cocoa beans.
Edible Oils
Pure vegetable oils (sunflower, corn, soy, canola, sacha inchi) obtained from seeds or germ. They must be refined, dewaxed, bleached, and deodorized, without flavor or odor.
Specific physicochemical parameters (e.g., Relative Density, Refractive Index, Saponification Value, Iodine Value, Unsaponifiable Matter, Moisture and Volatile Matter, Insoluble Impurities, Soap Content, Peroxide Value, Acidity). Maximum permitted limits for contaminant metals (Iron, Copper, Lead, Arsenic).
Must have characteristic color, odor, and flavor, free from rancidity or foreign substances. Must not exceed Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides or maximum contaminant limits (according to national standards or Codex Alimentarius). Technological processes such as clarification, degumming, neutralization, decolorization, deodorization, and fractionation are permitted. Dioxins, PCBs, and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (Benzo(a)pyrene) are controlled. For refined corn oil, the Zearalenone limit is 400 μg/kg.
Primary packaging: PET plastic container with reinforced screw cap, complying with Resolutions 683 and 4143 of 2012. Labeling: Complies with Resolution No. 5109 of 2005 (and 2492 of 2022 if nutritional information is included). Reuse of containers is prohibited. Shelf life: 12 months from production (minimum 10 months upon delivery).
Ukraine and Russia are responsible for two-thirds of global sunflower oil exports. Brazil and Argentina are important origins for soy, corn, and sunflower oils.
The most efficient solution for maritime transport of edible oils in bulk are **Flexitanks** (also known as flexibags or flexitanques).
- **Description:** Large flexible bags (polyethylene and polypropylene) that transform a standard 20-foot container (Dry Van) into a safe and efficient system for liquids.
- **Capacity:** Generally between 10,000 and 28,000 liters (common models from 16,000 to 24,000 liters; some up to 27,000 liters or 26,000 kg).
- **Transportable Liquids:** Edible oils (soy, corn, sunflower, palm, olive, canola, fish, used cooking oil), wines, juices, concentrates, glycerin, lubricants, non-hazardous chemicals.
- **Advantages:**
- **Cost Reduction:** Eliminate return, cleaning, disposal, and demurrage costs.
- **Increased Payload:** Up to 44% more than drums and 15% more than IBCs.
- **Environmental Benefits:** Recyclable, reduce CO2 emissions.
- **Hygiene:** Single-use, prevents cross-contamination.
- **Installation:** Requires container inspection, corrugated paper protection, flexitank deployment, bulkhead installation (or integrated restraint system), and filling.
- **Certifications:** Food-grade approvals (FDA, EEC, Kosher, Halal, QS) and compliance with COA Code of Practice.