Bunkers at Viterra’s Pinnaroo site in SA’s Murray-Mallee. Photo: Anthony Gregurke, Viterra operations coordinator

DELIVERIES into the Viterra network for the 2023-24 harvest have surpassed 4.1 million tonnes (Mt), with growers delivering 688,241t in the week to Sunday.

Viterra Eastern region operations manager Andrew Cannon said harvest is now well under way across Viterra’s Eastern region.

“Our Frances site received its first delivery of canola during the week, kicking off harvest at the last of Viterra’s 55 sites,” Mr Cannon said.

“We had our largest day of deliveries for the season to date on 22 November with growers working hard to harvest and deliver prior to the rain on Thursday.

Mr Cannon said Viterra also exported its first vessel of new-crop grain from the Eastern region with a load from Inner Harbour during the week.

“The cargo was loaded with 30,000t of barley and kick starts our busy new-season shipping schedule at the port.”

Table 1: Viterra receivals for the 2023-24 harvest to November 26.

Viterra Central region operations manager Jack Tansley said receivals slowed across the Central region last week, with growers delivering 267,746t compared to almost 450,000t the week before.

“The rain later in the week, combined with some areas getting close to finishing harvest, contributed to lower volumes of deliveries at our Central region sites,” Mr Tansley said.

“Earlier in the week, we were busiest at our Gladstone, Port Giles, Snowtown, Bowmans and Roseworthy sites.

“The majority of tonnes delivered were wheat, followed by barley and canola.

“We received small volumes of faba beans and field peas, and lentil deliveries slowed as most growers finish their lentil harvests.”

Viterra Western region operations manager Nick Pratt said last week was a strong one for deliveries into Viterra’s sites on the lower Eyre Peninsula.

“Cummins was the busiest site for the region, where growers delivered around 15,000t each day,” Mr Pratt said.

“Port Lincoln and Tumby Bay were also amongst the Western region’s busiest sites last week,” Nick says.

“We are hearing from growers in the area that they are happy with both quality and yields, which is reflected at our sites where we are receiving lots of hard wheat, and good quality canola and pulses.

“Most lower EP growers are confident they will be finished harvesting before Christmas.”

Mr Pratt said sites on the Upper EP were quiet in comparison as growers are finishing up harvesting.

“Deliveries to sites further north have slowed, yet we are still seeing some late tonnes into Kimba, Wudinna, Lock and Thevenard.”

“While deliveries are slowing, we are busy moving growers’ grain to international markets, loading ships at both our Port Lincoln and Thevenard terminals during the week.”

Source: Viterra