December 19, 2006

Western Australia's CBH receives half of winter grains last year
 

To-date, grain storage concern Cooperative Bulk Handling Ltd, had received about 6.1 million tonnes of winter grains and oilseeds of an expected total harvest of 6.5 million tonnes into its storages, well down on a long-term annual average harvest of 11 million tonnes and about half last year's intake.

The results reflect the impact of drought, Colin Tutt, CBH's general manager of operations said in a statement.

Typically, 70 percent of the state's crop is wheat, so CBH's forecast suggests wheat production of around 4.55 million tonnes, down from an actual 9.5 million tonnes last crop year ended March 31, 2006.

Nearly all the wheat and barley produced in the state is available for export, making the area a major cereal provider to the global trade.

The company is the only major silo concern operating in Western Australia and its intake figures are a reasonable proxy for state production.