The Western Australian grain industry has just marked a significant milestone with the successful shipment of FAQ malt barley from Albany Berth 2, bound for China. The shipment is Commodity Ag’s First barley shipment, with Flexi Grain managing the sale and execution, along with bulk shipping on behalf of growers via its Collaborative Export Program (CEP). The shipment also flags significant steps forward in execution efficiency at the port, with the Supramax vessel loaded almost double the size of previous Commodity Ag vessels from Berth 2, lowering Ocean freight costs.
This inaugural shipment underscores the growing optionality within the WA grain supply chain, allowing farmers to extract value from on farm storage and reduce exposure to expensive harvest logistics. It also allows growers to increase utilisation of their own trucks over the course of the season, allowing better matching with fertiliser backloading
This development offers important additional shipping capacity to the market, allowing increased competition into exports, which is especially valuable in large production years. Another important benefit is the flexibility on shipment time frame, allowing a more targeted sales program. The stocks oversight and harvest quality testing process implemented within Commodity Ag storages and on farm has allowed Flexi Grain to make sales of the highest possible quality, with a view on extracting maximum value from delivered stocks.
This successful shipment is more than just a transaction; it’s a testament to the collaborative spirit and strategic vision required to unlock new possibilities, with more to come.
CommodityAG has recently added to its offering a 25000 ton portside storage facility and invested in a new shiploader giving full in-house supply chain integration at the Albany Port. Growers will be able to deliver grain directly into this facility to allow greater supply-chain participation and cost savings. Flexi Grain are pleased to be working with Commodity Ag across multiple commodities with a view to maximising the opportunity for growers.
If you’re a farmer in the region interested in alternative pathways or an ex farm storage program, we encourage you to stay informed about these developments.
To find out more about Flexi Grain’s Collaborative Export Program (CEP) visit the page below, or contact Henry Vaughan on 0497 25 9113 or henry.vaughan@flexigrain.com.au.
