Test paves way for grain exports

Millions of tonnes of grain are expected to be exported from the Bunbury Port mid-year after successful trials of the Bunge grain silos earlier this month.

Agribusiness Bunge tested its $40 million silos on April 2 with a load of grain from Narrogin.

The silos have a loading capability of 10 to 50 thousand tonnes at about 1000 tonne an hour. Each of the six silos can each hold about 8000 tonnes of grain.

Bunge regional manager Christopher Tyson said the company was still aiming to be processing grain for export mid-year.

“The first trial ran well, we just put some grain in the system to check the running gear, ” he said.

“As soon as we are exporting we will be bringing business to town.

“At the moment we are receiving positive feedback from growers and the export community.”

Pastoralists and Graziers Association of WA grains chairman John Snook said the organisation looked forward to the Bunge silos becoming operational.

“The PGA views this as a start to the WA grain industry having a strong competition in the supply chain, ” he said.

“It will put between $10 to $15 per tonne back into South West farmers’ pockets.

“Bunge are bringing something unique to the WA grain industry.”

Bunge’s Bunbury port facility has permits to export up to 500,000 tonnes in the first two years of operation.

Last year Mining and Agricultural Minister Ken Baston was taken on a tour of the Bunge facilities while on a visit of the South West.

Mr Baston said the silos were an exciting prospect for the Bunbury area and WA agriculture.

“The increase in demand out of Western Australia is really important, ” he said.

“If we have good seasons like this year then it is important for us to invest into exporting to the world.”

“It encourages farmers to invest further and governments to fund grain growing.”

Bunge’s facilities have put the company in a position to be a competitor to WA’s major grain holder CBH.