Corporate News

Growers welcome rain but crop outlook falls

Emerald Grain has downgraded its outlook for the 2013/14 winter crop following a drier than usual start to the season. 

Emerald Grain Group General Manager Trading & Marketing Brian Dalitz said farmers in Western Australia had received much needed rainfall over the past few days and South Australian growers also looked set to benefit. 

“But sowing area in the east of Australia remains dry. We’ve dropped our Australian wheat forecast to 23.7 million tonnes. 

“The outlook for Canola is falling more dramatically because it requires early sowing.” 

He said the rain-carrying front moving across the continent is due to reach Victoria and New South Wales on Sunday or Monday. 

“There’s still enough time for wheat plantings if we get a good break. But if farmers don’t receive decent rainfall by June we could start to see some real reduction in acreage.” 

Mr Dalitz said international grain markets were being driven by weather and presented an opportunity to growers who had received some rainfall. 

“We’re seeing plenty of volatility out there. United States corn and wheat production is still experiencing weather related volatility which is helping to support prices. 

“Meanwhile, export programs for the upcoming season in Europe, the Black sea and India are being confirmed. 

“There’s an opportunity for growers to price a portion of their crop now and capitalise on prices while they remain relatively strong.” 

He said growers in dry areas who were concerned about production risk could use structured cash products to participate in early pricing. 

“Emerald has launched a structured cash contract which offers a strong forward price but allows you to roll over into the following season, with a new price, if you experience production issues. 

“It’s a good solution for growers that haven’t had that decent Autumn rainfall but still want to participate the market,” Mr Dalitz said. 

Record grain exports at Melbourne Port Terminal

Record grain exports at Melbourne Port Terminal

Emerald Grain’s Melbourne Port Terminal has recorded its strongest month of exports since it began operating in 2000.

During February, more than 185,000 tonnes of grain passed through the facility and on to eight destinations across Asia and Africa including China, Japan and Mozambique.

Click here to read the full release

Bears enter wheat market as snow blankets US

Global wheat prices fell to their lowest point since June 2012 this week following snowfall across the United States’ Central Plains.

“This recent snow dump has allayed fears of continued drought in the US and should lift production figures,” Emerald Grain General Manager Commodities & Trading Christian Norgard said.

“Chicago Board of Trade Futures sold off 50c over the past week, down to 699 USc/bu – this equates to around $AU250 per tonne.

“Luckily Aussie markets are maintaining a good domestic premium over this. We have tested the 700 c/bu mark on Chicago futures and hopefully we start to see some upside.

“We certainly believe there’s more volatility on the way as spring plantings get going and weather markets continue to influence price.”

Mr Norgard said growers planning for the 13/14 season had plenty to think about.

“US weather won’t be the only driver in world wheat prices. We continue to see purchases of Australian and US wheat by private Chinese buyers.

“More wheat feeding than normal could have occurred in China over the past year because of high corn prices. The market is questioning whether this demand will continue.

“The reality is no-one knows the Chinese balance sheet, so it’s definitely one to watch.”

He said growers wanting to lock in a portion of their new season crop now to protect themselves in the event of future price falls still had options.

“Structured cash products give you the ability to lock in a portion of your grain while still managing production risk.

“Even in a slightly bearish market there’s opportunity for growers who want a forward price but do not want to go too hard.”

Mr Norgard said growers should contact their local Emerald grain merchant for a run-down of structured cash options available for the 2013/14 marketing season.

ENDS

For more information, please contact Emerald Communications Manager, Danielle Buller – 0400 949 065

Grain merchants converge on Creswick

More than 35 grain merchants from Emerald Grain’s Australia-wide network met in Creswick, Victoria this week to plan for the 13/14 growing season.

From as far afield as Geraldton in Western Australia and Toowoomba in Queensland, merchants came together to discuss how to better support Australia’s grain growers.

Click here to read the full release

Wheat price dip to lead to increased US export sales

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Rally expected following Egypt wheat deal

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Cash averaging strategy takes guess-work out of grain

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Emerald renews partnership with WA Farmers

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Click here to view full release

Elmore grain storage site ready for harvest

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Canola harvest underway with first load at Goolgowi

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Latest USDA report good news for Aussie growers

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Emerald acquires 100% of EP Grain

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New Zealand - the quiet wheat market

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SAG Board rotation brings new faces

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Emerald takes lead in grain stock information provision

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New General Manager for EP Grain

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Emerald WA $15/t Early Order Premium now open

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Southern Ag Grain passes one million tonnes

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Elmore growers win with storage

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First Emerald train enters service

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Emerald 2011/12 canola pool closing 31 January

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Emerald 2010/11 wheat and barley $32 million pool payment

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Emerald announces restructured trading and marketing division

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GROWERS SET TO BENEFIT FROM EMERALD RAIL INVESTMENT

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Emerald reduces Interest rate just in time for Christmas.

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Alan Winney speaks with ABC Country Hour about the Emerald Supply Chain expansion

Emerald announces $120m supply chain expansion

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Emerald announces new season funding facilities

Emerald Group Australia (Emerald) today announced it had secured syndicated funding facilities of $685 million. Click here to read full media release.

Sturt Grain the new grain marketer for South Australia

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Emerald launches Grower favourite 3 Windows

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Emerald April distributions paid

Leading independent grain marketing company Emerald Group Australia (Emerald) announced today that it had paid the first distribution for its 2010/11 national pools.  Click here for more information.

Emerald launches popular EOP

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Emerald's joint venture, SQP, opens new Sea Lake office

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Emerald appoints new General Managers

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Emerald and Philp Brodie Grains offer support to flood victims

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Philp Brodie Grains today offered much needed support to Lifeline Community Care based in

Queensland.  Click here for more information.

Emerald's short term feed wheat pool closing soon

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Emerald makes donation towards Queensland Floods

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Emerald secures $475 million finance

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Emerald opens office in SA

Producers in South Australia can now embrace the operations of Australia’s leading independent grain
marketer – Emerald, who announced today the opening of an office in the region: Emerald opens office in SA

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Emerald Chairman wins NAB Agribusiness Leader Award

Emerald Group Chairman  – Alan Winney  – has been named Australia’s Agribusiness Leader of the Year.  Mr. Winney won the top award at the NAB Agribusiness Awards for Excellence heldat the Crown Palladium in Melbourne last night. Emerald Chairman wins NAB Agribusiness Leader Award

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expansion of its distribution reach via the acquisition of a long established grain company in Queensland – Philp Brodie Grains. Emerald expands national grain footprint

Emerald wins ANZ/BRW Business Award

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WA noodle wheat cargo out of Albany

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Emerald attracts Sumitomo as strategic equity partner

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