The MV 21 Glory filled up with 4200t faba beans accumulated by Esperance Quality Grains, and the ADM cargo is now on its way to Egypt. Photo: ADM

FABA beans grown in Western Australia’s Esperance region have topped up an ADM cargo to mark a first for the Port of Esperance.

While Esperance has previously exported bulk faba beans via a conventional conveyor system, the tonnage loaded at the southern WA port was completed via Qube’s Rotabox operations at the Port of Esperance.

Rotabox loading offers a gentler means of getting pulses into holds than conventional conveyor systems used to load grain and canola, and has been used in Esperance to load mineral concentrates.

Most of the faba beans on board loaded at the Victorian port of Portland, and the vessel, the MV 21 Glory, is now on its way to Egypt, the world’s biggest importer by far of faba beans.

 

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ADM managing director of ag services Australia and New Zealand Tim Henry said the ADM-EQG partnership has aligned with ADM’s ongoing investments in Port Pirie, South Australia, and the new Portland, Vic export operations.

“This milestone highlights ADM’s ability to create opportunities for local farmers by combining our end-market expertise with our local origination services,” Mr Henry said.

“With a presence in over 200 countries, ADM’s vast network offers Australian growers access to
international markets and competitive prices for their produce.

“We look forward to working with EQG and Esperance grain growers to further develop pulse production in the region.”

Mark Wandel oversees the loading of the MV 21 Glory at the Port of Esperance. Photo: ADM

EQG managing director Neil Wandel believes the opportunity for local farmers to access an alternative bulk market right at their doorstep could have lasting benefits for the Esperance region.

“This step forward gives local growers access to new bulk markets, expanded crop-rotation opportunities, and associated agronomic benefits that come with incorporating pulses in their cropping
mix,” Mr Wandel said.

EQG has been part of WA’s grain supply chain since 2002.

The company’s ability to store emerging crops for farmers and load bulk vessels is a natural evolution of its business.

“We hope the loading of this vessel will be the first of many with ADM as farmers start to prepare for the 2025 cropping season.”

The Wandel family’s farming operation, headed by by Neil’s son Mark Wandel, supplied some of the beans now heading to Egypt.

Source: ADM, Qube