Grain handler Viterra has exported 5 million tonnes from South Australia so far this season, with exports from the Eyre Peninsula alone eclipsing 2 million tonnes last week.
The company credited effective supply chain management for the record shipments, which are being handled through its six export terminals in the southern state.
Viterra logistics and commercial relations GM Jonathan Wilson said the huge shipping task was supported by the company’s rail and road outturn program, allowing export requirements to be met on time.
“Moving a record crop cannot happen without buy-in from across the supply chain and with the aid of our strategic partners,” Wilson said. “We’ve been able to manage port capacity and move grain throughout the system in a timely manner to meet the needs of export markets and customers.”
Viterra is owned by Glencore, and helping tip the shipping figure over 5 million tonnes was the barley vessel Densa Puma, headed for China through Glencore Agriculture.
“We loaded 36,000 tonnes of barley, including the new variety Compass, bound for one of the world’s biggest maltsters,” Glencore Agriculture senior commercial manager Lyndon Asser said.
“Securing a bulk cargo of Compass is an important step in our development of Compass as a new malting variety while we wait for accreditation.
“Chinese customers have enjoyed the quality seen in Australian malting barley and varieties such as Compass this year. This bodes well for continuing demand in 2017/18 given Compass plantings look to be high again.”
Viterra said 11 exporters have been shipping grain from South Australia this season to 21 different countries in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa.