Garcia Grain Through The Years

Garcia Grain

through the years

Garcia Grain Trading began its business in the early 90s, mainly exporting Black & Pinto dry-edible beans, corn, as well as milo. That alone kept the family busy. They work year-round as the weather allows for more than 1 crop season, but their busiest time is during the big spring / summer harvest season that runs from June to September, that is an “all-hands on deck, 24/7 busy environment” The business’s electric growth, combined with promising Rio Grande Valley weather, has helped keep

the Garcia family busy year round. It’s a good position to be in.

“We essentially never stop working, thanks to our weather,” said Mauricio Garcia, one of nine family members who make up part of Garcia Grain Trading, with locations in Donna, Alamo, Edcouch-Elsa, Weslaco, Santa Rosa and Progreso.

“We all work with whatever needs to get done, when it needs to get done, not really tied down to a specific role. In the busy season I mostly run around managing elevators and grading, shipping & recieving grain. In the off-season we work mostly on specialty crops like canola, more focus on our livestock, taxes, and occasionally go hunting.”

Grain Trading is buying and selling grain in the market (whether it is the physical commodity or a financial instrument such as futures or options). Farmers, elevators, end-users, speculators, hedgers, among others, trade grain.

The company has grown ever since the family patriarch Octavio decided to expand his “fledgling business,” as Mauricio said. “It just kept getting bigger and more diversified.”

It was a great decision. The company today primarily merchandises grain, corn, milo, soybeans, sesame, canola, sunflowers, cottonseed, Black & Pinto dryedible beans and rice. The company has diversified immensely “with a lot more to offer in terms of products, specs, logistics, and service.” Mauricio said

“We also sell soybean, canola, forage, and sesame seed for planting, and bagged deer corn and beans.” Mauricio said. “We also have Dorper sheep (a South African breed of domestic sheep), and Brahman and Angus cattle.”

One of the newest crops Garcia Grain Trading is working together with farmers to bring to market is soybeans.

“Thanks to Andy Scott, University of Missouri, A&M Extension, John Rowland and the farmers that are willing to take a chance to try something new for their rotations, they are spearheading and breaking ground on a crop that previously, did not perform well in the area, now not only does it perform well, it is profitable enough to compete with other traditionally grown crops.,” Mauricio said. “We also have the largest soy processor in Mexico, two hours away in Monterrey, so it’s a good idea to grow them here, as we have a market for them.”

As prices dramatically rise in many sectors around the world, Mauricio said now’s not the time to sit and wait – it’s time to do exactly the opposite. “Buy now or cry later,” he said. “With fertilizer and chemical prices rising, interest rates rising, gas and oil rising, it seems like in order to avoid pain down the line is to buy as soon as possible.” He also added “Not Financial Advice, Do Your Own Research”

Family members who work together at Garcia Grain Trading include Mauricio, his sisters Gaby and Dani, his mother Gabriela and father Octavio, his uncles Ruben and Fernando, his aunt Ana Maria and cousin Americo.

“It means a lot to us,” Mauricio said regarding family. “We are very close and live and work and grow together.”

Mauricio said he’s biased toward soybeans and sorghum being his favorite product. But there are other factors that make him lean elsewhere at times.

“I am biased toward soybeans and sorghum but anything that is profitable for the farmer is my favorite” he said. “But, really, anything that’ll keep the lights on and mouths fed is my favorite.”

Garcia Grain strives to promote Soybeans, Sesame, Canola, and Grain and will continue to sell and trade for those involved in Agriculture. If you ever have any questions about any of these commodities Garcia Grain is here to serve you.

Simply give them a call at 956-464-6000 they have several locations Valley wide, to accommodate you. Do not hesitate, they are at your beck and call.