CBH Group to Japan

GRAIN Pool Pty Ltd, the marketing arm of the CBH Group, has announced the establishment of a representative office in Tokyo as part of its long term focus on Japan as a key partner for Western Australian grain growers.

Grain Pool has recruited Masato (Mike) Karube to establish and manage the new office.

Mr Karube, an executive with major Japanese agricultural co-operative Zennoh Group for 25 years, commenced his appointment with Grain Pool on October 1.

The new Tokyo office expands Grain Pool's presence in key Asian markets, adding to its existing office in Hong Kong which services the Taiwan, China and South Korean markets.

Japan is a major trading partner for WA exporters, currently ranked as the second largest export destination for WA goods.

In 2007, Japan received more than $12 billion worth of merchandise exports from WA, including a significant share of $1.69 billion of wheat exported by WA farmers to international markets.

Grain Pool general manager Brian Mumme said Mr Karube's appointment and the opening of the new Tokyo office reflected CBH's commitment to link growers to customers in a valuable way.

"A key focus for Mike will be to build Grain Pool's business and further develop relationships with customers and end-users of West Australian wheat in Japan," Mr Mumme said.

"Japan traditionally imports 800,000 to 900,000 tonnes of high quality wheat a year from Western Australia and we want to become the standout choice for Japanese customers in sourcing that grain."

"We are honoured that Mike would make such a big decision to end a lifetime career with Zennoh to join Grain Pool in a permanent long term role that will see him working with all our major Japanese customers."