The effects of barge shocks on soybean basis levels in Arkansas: A study of market integration

The response of Arkansas Delta and Gulf soybean basis levels to barge rate shocks is investigated. Results suggest basis levels react negatively to an increase in the barge rate, implying the burden of higher transportation costs are at least in part transmitted to the farm level. Internal Arkansas Delta markets are highly integrated with the Gulf export market. For example, Gulf soybean shocks, which reflect unexpected increases in soybean export demand, are simultaneously transmitted to internal markets, and result in correspondingly higher Arkansas Delta basis levels. Domestic market disturbances such as crush margin and financial storage cost shocks are found to immediately affect barge rates and to subsequently impact both Gulf and internal basis levels. [EconLit citations: F150.] © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 21: 37-52, 2005.