CBH calls end to dour 2023-24 harvest

Grain receivals in WA have collapsed 45 percent as low rainfall brings the state’s agriculture industry back to earth following three seasons of strong crops.

CBH Group on Monday called an end to harvest for 2023-24 having received 12.5 million tonnes of grain, down from 22.7 million tonnes in 2022-23.

The result, described as a “reminder of the highs and lows” by CBH chief operations officer Mick Daw, is the second smallest in the past decade, only eclipsed by 2019-20’s dismal 9.8mt harvest.

Grain receivals were down at all five CBH zones, with Geraldton (down 65 per cent) and Kwinana north (down 63 per cent) experiencing the steepest declines.

Mr Daw said it was clear from the outside WA’s run of bumper harvests would be over this season.

“As conditions worsened and estimates came in during June and July, we started making plans to accommodate seasonal conditions in our services this harvest,” he said.

“We anticipated this year’s crop to yield higher screenings and higher protein for many growers.

“To address this, CBH introduced additional utility grades, changed quality optimisation limits and rules, and made high moisture grading system changes, to create more opportunities for growers to capture the value of their grain.”

Mr Daw said CBH’s safety performance had improved slightly this season.

CBH grain receivals

• 2023-24: 12.5mt
• 2022-23: 22.7mt
• 2021-22: 21.3mt
• 2020-21: 15.1mt
• 2019-20: 9.8mt
• 2018-19: 16.4mt
• 2017-18: 13.3mt
• 2016-17: 16.6mt
• 2015-16: 13.6mt
• 2014-15: 14.5mt
• 2013-14: 15.8mt

The Albany zone proved the most productive for the season, delivering 3.2 million tonnes, down 1.3 million tonnes on last season.

That was closely followed by Kwinana south (3.1mt, down from 4.4mt) and Esperance (2.5mt, down from 3.6mt).

CBH estimates the average annual crop at about 14 million tonnes per year.

Three daily site receival records were set at Chillinup, Pingrup and Gairdner set new daily site receival records, but no new total receival records were made.

The 2022/23 harvest set 53 site daily tonnage records and 45 site total receival records.

CBH said it would focus on getting more grain to port in the first half of 2024 to drive better prices for growers.

Grains Industry Association of WA has forecast a total harvest, which includes more than CBH's take, of 14.51 million tonnes.