SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — GrainCorp plans to build 1 million tonnes of new grain storage capacity at several sites ahead of the anticipated larger 2021-22 harvest. 

Last year, more than 60 of GrainCorp’s sites broke all-time receival records and began developing expansion plans in preparation for this year’s harvest. 

“Planning has been well underway for some time now, and the works will focus on boosting our capacity in major cropping regions across New South Wales and Victoria, in particular,” said Robert Spurway, managing director and chief executive officer of GrainCorp. “We’ll build extra storage across the Central and Northern regions of NSW and across the North-East region of Victoria.

Not only is the Australian-based agribusiness adding new storage, but it is looking at resuming operations at some sites.  

“On top of the new storage, we are also looking at re-opening some sites to accommodate the anticipated demand, and we have a maintenance plan in place to get these sites back into full operation,” he said. “We are currently working through approval processes with several local government authorities, and we look forward to providing growers with specific site details as soon as possible.”

Spurway said the company is working around the clock to move as much leftover grain from that intake as possible before the new-season crop is ready.

“Growers are driving past their local sites and noticing we’re still carrying grain from last harvest, which is typical after a large production year,” he said. “The new storage will take some pressure off these sites, and we will be operating a large fleet of trains over harvest to continue to make space as deliveries roll in.” 

GrainCorp’s network has taken in approximately 16 million tonnes from the last harvest, 2020-21, surpassing the company’s previous bumper crop season in 2016-17, where 15 million tonnes were delivered.

Spurway said he is cautiously optimistic for growers as they draw closer to the 2021-22 harvest, with sites in Central Queensland expecting to receive grain beginning in September.

“There is still plenty of weather to come between now and harvest, but I certainly wish all of our growers the best of luck with the season ahead, and we’re looking forward to welcoming you back on site for another exciting year.”