Most growers on SA’s Upper Eyre Peninsula had an early start and finish to harvest.

SOUTH Australian-based bulk handler Viterra received 928,204 tonnes in the week to Sunday to take total deliveries for the current harvest past 3.4 million tonnes (Mt).

Our new season shipping programme, with 6.3 million tonnes of shipping booked for grain delivered into the Viterra network, is now well underway with two vessels setting sail from our ports during the week.

Viterra general manager supply chain Derek Robjohns said the company was focused on moving deliveries through its network to international markets.

“We finished loading shipments at Outer Harbor and Thevenard, the first vessels for the season for both ports,” Mr Robjohns said.

“The Outer Harbor vessel is our second new-season barley shipment on its way to China, following the recent removal of the tariff on Australian barley exports.”

Table 1: Viterra receivals for the 2023-24 harvest to November 19.

The Central region took the majority of deliveries for the week.

Viterra Central region operations manager Jack Tansley said all sites in the region were now open for harvest, with Jamestown receiving its first load for the season on Monday.

“Jamestown has kicked off in the north, and other sites in the east are getting busier as the crops east of Balaklava and down to Saddleworth are ready for harvesting,” Mr Tansley said.

“Some areas north of Wallaroo and around Port Pirie are starting to wind down, while harvest is still in full swing through the lower Yorke Peninsula and Roseworthy areas.

“Lentil growers on the YP are getting to the end of the crop, and growers in the centre down to Adelaide are well over halfway through their harvest.

“Roseworthy has been busiest canola site in the region, taking both non-GM and GM canola, while beans and peas are being received into Gladstone and Balaklava.”

Viterra Eastern region operations manager Andrew Cannon said good weather has seen increased activity at sites in the region.

“Our Strathalbyn site received their first delivery during the week, a load of barley,” Mr Cannon said.

“All our sites were open with extended hours across the week and weekend to meet grower demand.”

Viterra Western region operations manager Nick Pratt said growers across the Eyre Peninsula were at different intervals in their harvests.

“The lower EP is going strong; Port Lincoln and Cummins are seeing large receival days and our Kapinnie site received its first load for the season this week,” Mr Pratt said.

“We’re seeing large tonnages of canola, with strong deliveries into Cummins, Edillilie and Port Lincoln.

“On the other hand, we’re starting to see sites further afield slow down and some have closed for the season.”

Source: Viterra