Soybeans

The Canadian soybean trade divides sharply and confusing the halves is the common error. Food-grade beans (clear hilum, specified size, low defect, frequently identity-preserved) go to tofu, soy milk and natto manufacture at a premium, and the documentation of variety and provenance is part of what is being bought. Crush-grade beans go to oil and meal on oil and protein content at commodity pricing.

Ontario has built the substantial identity-preserved food-grade programme, which means specific varieties are grown, segregated and documented through the chain rather than commingled.

Soybean oil and meal are separate products with their own buyers. Ontario origin generally routes through eastern ports, which changes the freight assumption for buyers defaulting to Vancouver.