Japan food production hit by quake

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TOKYO, Mar 19 (Commodity Online): Japan's major grain producing areas situated on the quake hit north-eastern regions suffered heavy damages and is likely to hit about thirty per cent of the country's feed production, according to US Grains Council. In its latest report, USGC said much of the capacity of the damaged feed mills is being covered by mills in other areas of the country and mills restarting after the disaster. Japan has a total compound feed production capacity of 25 million tonnes. The council warned it's still awaiting official reports on the earthquake's total impact on the grain trade. Immediate challenges to getting feed to livestock and chicken production operations include a lack of available boats, damage to roads and a lack of reliable fuel supplies. Because farmers tend to have only a limited supply of feed on site, the council said feed deliveries need to be made to ensure the welfare of animals. Damage from the earthquake has made it difficult to transport animals, and some processing plants and dairy facilities cannot operate at full capacity, the council said. The council said earlier this week grain shipments to Japan are continuing with southern ports, which receive the bulk of US shipments, relatively unharmed in comparison to northern ports. Japan is the largest export market for US corn.