SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) annual Bulk grain ports monitoring report highlights continuing concerns being expressed by growers and exporters about access to Australia’s bulk grain export supply chains, both at port and upcountry.

According to the ACCC, three companies — CBH, Viterra and GrainCorp — are responsible for operating most of Australia’s grain export port terminal facilities, and associated grain storage and logistic systems. They also are major grain exporters, providing essential services and port access to their exporter competitors.

The Port Terminal Access (Bulk Wheat) Code of Conduct aims to ensure all exporters obtain fair access to bulk grain export port terminal services. The ACCC monitors and enforces compliance with the Port Terminal Access (Bulk Wheat) Code of Conduct, and also has certain specific roles in relation to port terminal exemptions and capacity allocation systems. The code regulates the conduct of bulk wheat port terminal service providers.

The ACCC prepares an annual report based on its role of monitoring compliance with the code.

The report, examining the 2017-18 shipping year, found that exporters could typically access some port capacity, but many remained concerned about fairness and transparency of the allocation of port access.

“Even though many port terminals had excess port capacity in a year of lower production, exporters were still worried about the quality and fairness of port access,” said Mick Keogh, deputy chair of the ACCC. “In particular, they were concerned about their limited ability to negotiate terms with more dominant providers.”

Overall the ACCC heard more concerns from growers and exporters about upcountry access issues such as grain storage and handling services and transportation, than about issues related to port access.

“We’re troubled that some exporters and growers are still reporting issues in their dealings with service providers at port and along related supply chains,” Keogh said. “Many of these upcountry supply chain issues are not directly addressed under the existing code. The ACCC considers upcountry access issues may be more appropriately dealt with through industry-led reform, or through a market inquiry such as the one currently being sought by growers.”

The report notes that outcomes are quite varied between different markets.

“The level of competition in bulk grain port services varies significantly between regions,” Keogh said. “Some areas have multiple service providers, while other areas remain serviced by vertically integrated near monopolies, particularly in Western Australia and South Australia. Users seem to get very different results in different regions. The ACCC considers that an appropriately targeted grains code is vital for ensuring port terminal access for all exporters on a fair and transparent basis.”

The report, now in its third year, examines data on the nature and concentration of export activity across Australia’s bulk grain port terminals, and also presents views from industry consultation with growers, exporters, and port terminal service providers.

To read the full report, click here.