January 10, 2012

Western Australia's grain shipments reach 14 million tonnes

A late surge in grain deliveries has boosted the Western Australian yield to 14 million tonnes, 1-1.5 million tonnes more than the 2011-12 estimate, Cooperative Bulk Handling Ltd. (CBH) reported Monday (Jan 9).

By mid-afternoon, 14 million tonnes had been received, and several hundred thousand tonnes more are expected, the Perth-based company said.

CBH dominates storage and handling of Western Australian grains, including wheat, barley and rapeseed.

The deliveries represent the second-biggest harvest of winter grains on record, eclipsed only by the 2003-04 harvest when 14.7 million tonnes were delivered, CBH said.

Typically, 70% of the Western Australian harvest is wheat and deliveries to CBH account for 90% of total state production – nearly all of which is exported.