THE Australian Grains Industry Conference (AGIC) kicked off in Melbourne today as the national forum for those in the supply chain to gather with international visitors and analysts to talk about what lies ahead.

Under the theme of Navigating the Future: Roadmap to 2025, the two-day event which has attracted 500 delegates was officially opened by Federal Minister for Agriculture Bridget McKenzie.

Appearing via videolink from Canberra, Ms McKenzie said the Australian Government was committed to getting the most out of its Free Trade Agreements, and maximising Australia’s biosecurity advantage, both areas which would help the advancement of Australia’s grain industry.

“Notwithstanding grain prices, the Australian grain industry is in a great position domestically and on the international stage,” Ms McKenzie told the forum.

“We’ve got a longstanding reputation to be pest and disease free. 

“This is underpinned by our strong biosecurity system.”

Ms McKenzie said the government was also looking into developing new markets for grain, providing support during drought, and further investing in research and development to benefit the grains industry.

Grain Trade Australia chairman Andrew Goyder also spoke in the opening session, and talked about some of the challenges which were facing the Australian grains industry, including drought and the east-coast feedgrain deficit it had created, and insolvencies.

In addition to 2018-19 exports of 18.7 million tonnes (Mt), Mr Goyder said the drought deficit has seen around 3.5Mt of grain transhipped from Western Australia and South Australia to eastern ports, far more than had been brought east in previous droughts.

With drought still impacting northern New South Wales and southern Queensland, Mr Goyder said the transhipment program would continue.

“We know there will be some that needs to come around the corner again this year.”

GTA yesterday hosted a member workshop which looked at how to mitigate risk in an environment which has already generated a number of insolvencies.

“Insolvencies have been a topic of late,” Mr Goyder said.

“It’s very unfortunate and also reflects the season we experienced.

“They affect everyone in the supply chain.” 

AGIC 2019 Gallery:

AGIC 2019: Agalign Ag Consulting principal Steven Jones, Sydney, Pulse Australia chairman Ron Storey, Melbourne, and Australian Oilseeds Federation president Rob Wilson, Wagga Wagga.

AGIC 2019: Agracom trader and export manager Brett Donoghue, Quirindi, and Fletcher International general manager commodities Kurt Wilkinson, managing director Roger Fletcher and commodities trader Sam White, all from Dubbo, NSW.

AGIC 2019: Delegates from Perth, CBH Group CEO Jimmy Wilson and AEGIC CEO Richard Simionatis with GTA’s Rosemary Richards, Sydney.

AGIC 2019: Aus Agribusiness principal Andrew Hannon, Adelaide, Viterra client relations representative Rosie Perretta, Adelaide, and Ridley national merchandising manager Stephen Howells, Melbourne.

AGIC 2019: Moree, NSW, farmers Graeme and Vicki Gall.

AGIC 2019: Rivergum Communications managing director Danielle Moore and account manager Madeleine Brew.

AGIC 2019: Basis Commodities managing director Chris Whitwell, Sydney, and NAB relationship director corporate agribusiness Tim Shearwood, Melbourne.

AGIC 2019: CBH Group general manager marketing and trader Jason Craig, Perth, Singapore-based Interflour group general manager commercial Mark Neo, Interflour, and Nelson Aylmore from CBH Group, Perth.

AGIC 2019: CBH Group’s principal strategy and development manager Peter Dyett and commercial manager Damien Donus, both from Perth.

AGIC 2019: Agrometeorology Australia managing director David Stephens, Perth, and Yass-based Ardrossi director Mel Ziarno, NSW.