Bulk Cassava Shipping

Bulk Cassava Shipping

  1. Sourcing and Preparation: The first step is to source high-quality cassava from reliable farmers or suppliers. Before transportation, cassava roots must be cleaned thoroughly to remove any soil and foreign particles. Cassava roots should be harvested carefully to avoid any bruising or damage that can cause early decay.
  2. Inspection and Compliance: Before shipping, you should ensure that the cassava meets the standards and regulations of the importing country. This may include checking for pests, disease, and chemical residue. Some countries may require phytosanitary certificates or other documentation to prove that the cassava has been inspected and meets health and safety standards.
  3. Transportation: Cassava can be shipped via truck, rail, air, or sea, depending on the distance and cost. The transportation method chosen should also take into account the expected delivery time and the condition of the cassava upon arrival. For instance, shipping via sea might be cost-effective for long distances, but it will also take more time and potentially impact the freshness of the cassava.
  4. Quality Control upon Arrival: Upon arrival, the cassava should be inspected to ensure that it has maintained its quality during transport. Any cassava that has become spoiled or damaged during transit should be separated from the rest to prevent further deterioration.
  5. Storage: After the cassava has been transported, it should be stored properly to maintain its quality until it’s sold or used. Cassava should be stored in a cool, dry place. Depending on the specific storage conditions, fresh cassava roots can be stored for a few days to a few weeks.
  1. Documentation: Proper documentation is crucial when shipping cassava in bulk. This includes purchase orders, invoices, bills of lading, and any other necessary customs forms. Additionally, a detailed record of the entire process, including the source of the cassava, packing details, transportation details, and inspections, should be maintained. This can be beneficial for traceability and in case of any disputes or claims.
  2. Insurance: Insurance can offer protection against unforeseen circumstances. The type of coverage needed will depend on the specific risks involved, such as damage, loss, delay, etc. It’s always a good idea to discuss this with an insurance advisor familiar with agricultural produce transportation.
  3. Communication: Maintain clear and regular communication with all parties involved in the process. This includes the supplier, the transporter, the receiver, and any regulatory bodies. Good communication can help to ensure that everyone is aligned and any issues can be addressed promptly.
  4. Mitigating Spoilage: Since cassava is highly perishable, steps should be taken to mitigate spoilage. If possible, aim to reduce the time between harvesting and selling the cassava. Consider using controlled atmosphere containers for longer journeys, which control the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide to slow down the ripening process.
  5. Regular Review: The process of bulk cassava shipping should be regularly reviewed and improved. Look for ways to make the process more efficient, reduce costs, and maintain or improve the quality of the cassava. This could involve exploring different suppliers, trying different packing materials or methods, or experimenting with different transportation options.

Finally, always stay informed about changes to international trade laws, shipping regulations, and market demands. The bulk cassava shipping business can be greatly affected by these factors, so being proactive and adaptable can help you stay ahead and maintain a successful operation.

Remember that each stage of this process is critical to the overall success of bulk cassava shipping. Careful planning, execution, and regular monitoring can ensure that the cassava arrives at its destination in the best possible condition.

 

Bulk Cassava Uses and Applications

Cassava, also known as yuca, manioc, or tapioca, is a staple food in many parts of the world, particularly in Africa, South America, and Asia. It is valued for its high carbohydrate content and its ability to thrive in poor soil conditions where other crops might not grow as well.

Here are some of the primary uses and applications of bulk cassava:

  1. Food Consumption: Cassava is a staple food in many diets across the world. It is usually consumed in the form of boiled roots, fries, or in a mashed potato-like consistency.
  2. Flour Production: Cassava is often processed into flour, known as tapioca flour or cassava flour. This gluten-free flour is used in baking and cooking and is a great alternative for people with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
  3. Starch Production: Cassava is a major source of starch. This starch can be used in various industrial applications, including food and beverage, paper industry, textile industry, and in the production of biodegradable products.
  4. Animal Feed: Cassava is also used as animal feed. Its leaves and roots are often processed into a meal that can be fed to livestock.
  5. Biofuel Production: Cassava is being increasingly used in the production of biofuels, particularly ethanol. Its high starch content makes it a good source of fermentable sugars for this process.
  6. Sweetener Production: Cassava can be processed into a variety of sweeteners, including glucose and fructose syrups. These are used in a wide range of food and beverage products.
  7. Alcohol Production: The fermentation of cassava can produce alcohol. In many countries, it is used for the production of local alcoholic beverages.
  8. Adhesive Production: The high starch content of cassava makes it a key ingredient in certain types of adhesives, especially in the plywood industry.
  9. Pharmaceutical Use: Modified cassava starch is used in the pharmaceutical industry as a binder and disintegrant in tablet formulations.
  10. Biodegradable Products: Cassava starch is being used to create biodegradable packaging and products, such as bags and food containers, as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics.

Please note that for many of these uses, it’s important to properly process cassava to remove naturally occurring cyanogenic glucosides, which can be harmful if consumed in large amounts. In traditional uses, this is often accomplished through soaking, boiling, or fermenting the cassava.

 

Bulk Cassava Stowage Factor

The stowage factor is the amount of space in cubic meters or cubic feet that one metric ton or one long ton of a particular type of cargo occupies in a hold, taking into account unavoidable stowage losses in the means of transport or the CTU (Cargo Transport Unit).

Bulk Cassava Stowage Factor (in m3/t): 1.7 m3/t
Pellets Cassava Stowage Factor (in m3/t): 1.8 m3/t

As for cassava, the stowage factor can vary depending on the form in which it is transported. For example, cassava in pellet or chip form may have different stowage factors.

Keep in mind that the stowage factor is influenced by many factors such as moisture content, packaging, and shape of the material. So it’s not a fixed value and may require professional assessment for accurate calculation in specific scenarios.

Cassava is susceptible to infestation. Prone to weight reduction through desiccation. When the meal takes the shape of pellets, it is susceptible to spontaneous combustion. It should be stored separately from damp and malodorous commodities. Adequate ventilation is indispensable.

 

Bulk Casava Ocean Transportation

The Cassava Root possesses a lengthy and tapered structure, exhibiting a solid and uniform flesh encompassed by a detachable outer layer. This encasing rind, approximately 1mm in thickness, presents a coarse and brown exterior. Commercial varieties of this root can measure between 5 to 10 cm in diameter at the apex and range from 15 cm to 30 cm in length. A woody cordon gracefully extends along the axis of the root. The flesh itself can either appear chalk-white or possess a subtle yellow hue. Cassava roots are abundantly rich in starch, boasting significant quantities of calcium (50 mg/100g), phosphorus (40 mg/100g), and vitamin C (25 mg/100g). However, they exhibit low levels of protein and other essential nutrients. In stark contrast, cassava leaves serve as a valuable protein source, particularly rich in lysine, yet deficient in the amino acid methionine and possibly tryptophan.

The most prevalent types of feed derived from cassava roots are chips and pellets. Chips are the result of dried, shredded roots, varying in size, shape, and quality depending on the drying rate and potential contamination with sand during processing. These chips can either be directly ground and incorporated into mixed feeds or transformed into pellets. Root pellets manifest as uniform cylindrical products, measuring around 0.5 to 0.8 cm in diameter and 1.0 to 2.0 cm in length. Pelleting facilitates the creation of a denser product while mitigating dust, thereby enabling easier storage and transportation.

Compared to chips, pellets possess a lower nutritional value due to the inclusion of part of the shoot, consequently elevating the fiber and ash content from 1.5 to 2.0%. Cassava root meal primarily serves as an energy source, characterized by its high starch content (approximately 60-70%). However, protein levels remain minimal, accounting for roughly 2.5% of dry matter. Thus, the inclusion of cassava in diets relies on the cost and availability of alternative energy and protein sources. When formulating a well-balanced poultry ration, cassava must be supplemented with higher levels of protein, amino acids, fat, minerals, and vitamins compared to cereal-based diets. Cassava-based diets lack carotene and other coloring carotenoids, necessitating their addition if the market demands intense pigmentation of egg yolk or broiler skin. Given that cassava pellets contain substantial amounts of potassium, their inclusion may be limited to reduce the moisture content of feces.

The cassava plant, composed of its roots, leaves, and stem, serves as an excellent source of carbohydrates and protein. Each component can be utilized as animal feed. The leaves can be ensiled, dried for feed supplementation, or processed into leaf meal for concentrated feed. The stem, when combined with leaves, can be used as ruminant feed or dried for feed concentrates. The roots, either chipped or pelletized, can be utilized as feed. Additionally, the peel, broken roots, fiber, and bagasse obtained from starch extraction and gari processing can be dried and employed directly as animal feed or utilized as a substrate for single-cell protein production. The utilization of cassava root as animal feed is growing in significance within developing countries in Latin America and Asia, where an export market for this commodity has emerged. The European Economic Community annually imports approximately 6 million tonnes of cassava, predominantly in the form of pellets or granules. Thailand and Indonesia stand as the largest exporters of dried cassava products, primarily in the form of pellets. In Thailand, cassava is predominantly utilized as cassava pellets and starch for export.

 

Transporting bulk cassava by ocean involves several key steps to ensure the product’s safety, quality, and timeliness of delivery. Here are the general steps you need to consider:

  1. Sourcing and Preparation: The cassava is harvested, cleaned, and prepped for transportation. This often involves drying the cassava to reduce its moisture content, which makes it less susceptible to spoilage during transit.
  2. Loading: The packed cassava is loaded onto shipping containers. Depending on the scale of the operation, this might be done by hand or with the help of machinery.
  3. Documentation: All necessary paperwork for international trade, such as the bill of lading, insurance, customs documentation, and phytosanitary certificates, must be prepared. This documentation ensures the shipment is legal and adheres to both the exporting and importing countries’ regulations.
  4. Transport: The shipping containers are then transported to the port and loaded onto the freight ship. This is usually done with cranes and other heavy machinery.
  5. Sea Journey: The ship then embarks on its journey. The duration of this depends on the destination, but can range from a few days to several weeks.
  6. Unloading at Destination Port: Upon arrival at the destination port, the containers are unloaded from the ship and inspected by customs officials. The cassava is checked to ensure it has not been contaminated or spoiled during transit.
  7. Delivery: Finally, the cassava is transported from the port to its final destination. This could be a processing plant, a storage facility, or directly to the market.

Throughout this entire process, it’s important to have a well-coordinated logistics strategy and reliable partners. Effective communication, thorough documentation, and efficient operations can help ensure that the cassava arrives in good condition and on time.

 

Top Cassava Exporting Countries

Currently, the top cassava exporting countries globally include:

  1. Thailand: Thailand is the world’s largest exporter of cassava, both in terms of cassava roots and processed cassava products such as chips and pellets. The country exports mainly to China, as well as to European nations.
  2. Vietnam: Vietnam is another significant player in the global cassava export market. Much like Thailand, Vietnam primarily exports to China.
  3. Nigeria: While Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of cassava, it is not the largest exporter because much of its production is consumed domestically. However, it still plays a significant role in the global export market.
  4. Cambodia: Cambodia exports a significant portion of its cassava production, mainly to neighboring Asian countries.
  5. Ghana: Ghana is one of the leading cassava exporters in Africa, with a significant amount of its production going to the European market.

Please note that the actual list can change due to many factors, including market demand, agricultural policies, and changes in production due to weather conditions or plant diseases. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the latest data from relevant international bodies like the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) or the International Trade Centre (ITC).