2. A Brief History 1818: Founded in Amsterdam by Johann Peter Bunge
1884: Bunge y Born established in Argentina by grandson, Ernest Bunge
1905: Bunge y Born expanded into Brazil
1923: Bunge North American Grain Corporation founded in New York City to trade raw agricultural commodities
2001: Changed our name to Bunge North America prior to the initial public offering of our parent company, Bunge Limited
2002: Bunge Limited acquired Cereol, which included Central Soya in the United States and CanAmera Foods in Canada

3. Corporate Organization
Bunge Limited
Traded on NYSE: BG (IPO: 8/2/2001)
Global Headquarters: White Plains, NY
22,000 employees
Offices in 32 countries
2005 Net Sales: $24 Billion

4. Vertically Integrated
World’s leading oilseed processor and seller of bottled oils
Leading miller of wheat in South America and corn in North America
South America’s leading fertilizer producer

5. Bunge North America
Bunge North America, Inc., is the North American operating arm of Bunge Limited (NYSE: BG),with facilities in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

6. Bunge North America

7. Waterways & the U.S. Economy
One in every four acres of U.S. ag production is exported – worth over $60 billion a year.
In 2005, the U.S. exported over 111 million metric tons of grain and oilseed products valued at over $20 billion.
Close to 60 percent of that moves through New Orleans to the Gulf.
Our best natural comparative advantage in ag trade –
the Mississippi River and its tributaries!

8. Waterways & the U.S. Economy
The New Orleans Customs District handled $32.4 billion of U.S. exports and $97.3 billion in imports in 2005.
The largest agricultural exports by value passing through these ports were:
$3.3 billion of soybeans (52 percent of total soybean exports)
$2.8 billion of corn (58 percent of total corn exports)
$784 million of wheat (18 percent of total wheat exports)

9. Factors Impacting Barge Freight
Strong demand for both traditional southbound and increased northbound barge traffic
2003 to 2004: inbound tonnage through New Orleans increased by more than 42 percent.
2004 to 2005: increased by more than 23 percent.
New demand for northbound movements to interior locations lengthens turn-around times and barge availability for southbound movements of agricultural commodities.
Significant increases in major commodity imports such as crude petroleum and petroleum products; chemicals; sand, gravel and stone; primary manufacturing goods and manufacturing equipment.

10. Factors Impacting Barge Freight
Reduction in the number of barges in the river fleet
2005 covered hopper barge fleet at 11,300 barges.
2 percent less than the number of barges available in 2004; 8.9 percent less than 1998.
Low water levels
Naturally occurring
Lack of routine, federal maintenance

11. Factors Impacting Barge Freight
Rail & truck transportation often not viable.
Rail shipping is already at full capacity.
Labor shortage of certified truck drivers.
Shipping by barge remains the lowest cost and most overall efficient method of transporting agricultural commodities to export!

12. Global Competitiveness
Value of public infrastructure investments
Foresight of previous generations paying dividends today
Federal government’s role
Multi-state implications
Legal liability for private investors
Absolute neutrality benefits all sectors

13. Global Competitiveness
Freight cost advantage of our waterways system
Many international competitors maintain an overall lower cost of production in commodities such as corn and soybeans. The U.S. makes up the difference through efficient handling and shipping.
Deterioration of our river system and investments in foreign transportation infrastructure has diminished the U.S. freight advantage over global competitors such as Brazil.
Investments in public infrastructure are key to maintaining U.S. competitiveness.
We must renew our commitment to maintaining the entire waterways system.

14. Origination & Destination - “Low-Use” Waterways
Tributary waterways are a vital transportation system linking agricultural production to the Mississippi River system and export markets beyond.
65 percent of commerce moving on the Mississippi River stems from tributary waterways.
Fewer miles = fewer ton-miles
Tributaries are part of a waterways system.
Nearly 99% of tributary ton-miles derived from traffic moving to or from an origin or destination on another waterway.
Without access to terminals on that tributary waterway, the entire movement and total ton-miles would not occur.

15. The Funding Crisis
Tributaries and other “low-use” waterways have been targeted for budget savings over the years.
The President’s FY ‘04, ‘05, ‘06 & ’07 Budgets completely eliminate funds for Mississippi River tributaries & ports – setting a 1 million ton/1 billion ton-mile threshold.
Consequently, the bases of these channels are rising and their navigability is at risk.

16. Impact on Agriculture
Aging infrastructure and deferred maintenance created by insufficient investment levels will result in
degraded system performance
safety concerns
increased delays
higher transportation costs
negative impacts on GDP and employment

17. Impact on Agriculture
Inability to load barges to full capacity because shallow depths limit navigation.
Direct correspondence to commodity “basis” deterioration
Loss of barge freight = 10¢ to 25¢ per bushel lost revenue
500 acres of corn planted = avg trendline yield of 150 bushels/acre
150 bushels/acre = 75,000 bushels of corn
Loss of barge transportation = $7,500 to $18,750 lost revenue

18. The Road Ahead
Integrate tributaries & shallow ports into larger campaign to maintain the system.
National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Coalition
Waterways inclusion in intermodal transportation system
Bridge gap between authorization commitments and appropriations
WRDA final action
Operations & Maintenance appropriations