Another load comes into CBH Group’s Jacup site between Albany and Esperance. Photo: Kirsten Ross, Grain Brokers Australia

WESTERN Australian growers have delivered 15.69 million tonnes (Mt) of grain in the harvest to 28 December to the state’s bulk handler, CBH Group, with record receivals of 7.75Mt in the Kwinana zone bolstering the total.

In its latest weekly harvest report, CBH said grain receivals had slowed down across the state, with many growers reaching the end of their harvest programs, and others pausing for the Christmas period.

Despite this, the Kwinana zone received enough grain in the week to 28 December to push past its grain receival record.

“Yields have been higher than anticipated across most parts of the Kwinana zone after a favourable season, leading to a record-breaking harvest for the zone,” CBH acting general manager operations Ben Raisbeck said.

“Kwinana has joined the Geraldton and Esperance zones in surpassing delivery expectations for this season, while Albany is tipped to reach its estimates as harvest continues at a steady pace into 2019.”

More sites will close this month as growers wrap up their harvest programs.

Market strong then quiet

Prior to Christmas, grower selling was particularly strong for wheat, as growers looked to take advantage of strong prices.

Australian Hard values traded above $400 per tonne free in store (FIS), and APW traded in the $360s/t FIS, both historically strong prices.

Since Christmas, the market has been quiet, as growers and the market focused on the Christmas/New Year break.

The international market has also been quiet, as festive-season public holidays took up much of the week.

Albany

In the Albany zone, most grain received last week was wheat, with 833,000t delivered within the zone to date.

Barley receivals for the year have reached 1.2Mt, while canola deliveries sat at 275,000t as of 28 December.

“A number of sites, particularly in the north of the zone, are closing as harvest winds up, but we expect that harvest in southern and western areas will continue into January,” Albany zone manager Greg Thornton said.

Esperance

Receivals have slowed dramatically in the Esperance zone over the past week as growers finish harvesting their crops.

“A number of sites are now closed for the year, and the remainder of the sites are expected to be closed around New Year,” Esperance zone manager Mick Daw said.

Geraldton

The Geraldton Zone has surpassed expectations by more than 30 per cent, with total receivals now at 3.2Mt after a slow week of deliveries in the lead-up to Christmas.

“Most sites are closed now, with only a few open in the south of the zone, including the Geraldton terminal,” Geraldton zone manager Duncan Gray said.

Kwinana

Harvesting in the Kwinana zone has started to slow down as growers complete their programs.

“Lots of sites are now closed for the season, and the majority will be closed before the New Year, with only a few sites staying open into January to finish off the season,” Kwinana zone assistant manager Allan Walker said.

Source: CBH Group