Responding to strong domestic and international demand for South Australian grain, Viterra has loaded its largest single rail outturn as grain moves quickly out of the state.
A 100-wagon train loaded with barley from Viterra’s Crystal Brook, Snowtown and Gladstone sites, is headed for interstate feedlots to meet continuing demand for quality South Australian new season grain.
Viterra Operations Manager Michael Hill says it’s the first time Viterra has loaded a 100-wagon train to service interstate demand, effectively doubling the size of a typical rail movement.
“It reflects the fast rate that South Australian grain is moving and the strong demand both domestically and internationally,” Michael says.
“We have around 40 buyers in the Viterra system purchasing grain for the domestic and export market, and we’ve seen a significant increase in shipping and rail outturns compared to this time last year.
“We’ve outturned close to two million tonnes since harvest started in October, around 1.2 million tonnes of which has been shipped.
“In addition to the 100-wagon train, we’ve also loaded a further six domestic-bound trains during the same week from sites in our Central region with wheat, barley and canola.
“It’s a huge positive to see grain from our state in such high demand with a number of buyers in our system sourcing South Australian grain for the first time.
“Growers using the Viterra system will benefit from having greater options from the multiple buyers when they choose to sell their grain.
“We’re also continuing to service strong export demand, outturning grain by vessels through our port terminals to various international buyers and markets.”
All six of Viterra’s port terminals across the state are loading vessels over March and April with wheat, barley and canola headed to a range of domestic and export markets.
The business is continuing to outturn by road to 85 different end use destinations across the country as well.
“We are focused on working with buyers to make it as easy as possible for them to continue accessing grain through the Viterra network and getting it to where they need it,” Michael says.