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Since 1956, we’ve been partnering with our suppliers to provide only the highest quality ingredients that add value to our customers’ formulations. To do this, we source ingredients from both domestic and international suppliers and strive to anticipate market changes before they happen. Our goal is to reduce the chance of supply disruption, but some situations are difficult to plan for, particularly when it comes to international trade.
For example, AFIA reported that the East and Gulf Coast port strike in October of 2024 threatened to delay receipt of essential ingredients, equipment, packaging and other goods used in the production of livestock and pet food. At the time, AFIA president and CEO Constance Cullman issued a statement, saying,
“The animal food industry relies heavily on the interdependence of smooth shipping routes and has spent years building relationships with foreign buyers and sellers, yet overnight, could lose the ability to access or do business with international markets.”
It’s a situation that we hope doesn’t happen again but may very well do so.
During times of international supply uncertainty, like when strikes at ports delay the arrival of critical ingredients or tariffs increase the cost of international trade, it’s important to recognize that domestic suppliers are available for some ingredients. Here are some of our supply partners that use domestic sources for their ingredients.
As a leading global producer of natural soda ash, Genesis Alkali has been mining and processing trona, a naturally occurring sodium sesquicarbonate, for over 70 years. They own and operate two world-class trona ore mining and soda ash production facilities near Green River, Wyoming.
As the only producer of potassium chloride (potash) in the United States, Intrepid’s domestic supply spans two certified safe feed/safe food operating areas: Carlsbad, New Mexico and Moab, Utah. In addition to producing a high-quality potassium chloride, Intrepid produces potassium and magnesium sulfate as well as salt.
Nutrien markets and distributes feed phosphate throughout the United States and is the second-largest phosphate producer in North America. At their multiple feed ingredient plants, Nutrien produces monocalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, feed-grade urea and defluorinated phosphate. Each plant is unique in region and scale and all strive to produce the highest-quality minerals in the feed market.
Premier Magnesia, the manufacturer of MAGOX®, is a global market leader in magnesia-based products. They are one of the world’s principal manufacturers of high-purity calcined magnesium oxide and magnesium hydroxide products, and their plant in Gabbs, Nevada, is the only domestic site for magnesium oxide production.
QEMETICA is the new owner of PPG’s silica business. FLO-GARD™ silica products optimize the flow of animal feed products and additives. These silica products, which include high carrying-capacity silica carriers for feed applications, are 100 percent U.S. sourced and primarily manufactured in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
MFiber, processed from Miscanthus giganteus, a perennial crop grown in the Midwest, offers a viable and long-term fiber source for the pet food industry. It is a non-chemically produced fiber ingredient grown by local farmers and manufactured in the USA. The product is 100 percent natural and 100 percent traceable back to the exact field in which it was harvested. During times of uncertainty with international supply, sourcing your ingredients through our domestic partners can be a viable alternative. And don’t forget, whether you’re looking for primary or specialty ingredients, we can help streamline your business by doing the dedicated sourcing and inventory management for you. Give us a call at 1-800-336-2277 to learn more.
