Prominent Great Southern farmer Alan Richardson has opened up a new WA grain export pathway through Albany, the first to do so in WA for more than six years
Agribusiness major Bunge will acquire Glencore-backed rival Viterra in a merger that could spell a noticeable shift at the top end of Western Australia's largest grain exporters.
SPECIAL REPORT: Western Australia's five biggest agribusinesses are earning about $5.5 billion in revenue annually, according to the latest BNiQ Search Engine data, down from $5.8 billion when the list was last published 18 months ago.
Industry stakeholders are concerned about the level of port market share held by grain handler CBH Group, while entry for new players like Bunge has been challenging, according to a new Australian Competition and Consumer Commission report.
The competition watchdog plans to grant a regulatory exemption to WA Chip & Pulp Co, which will allow the Japanese-owned woodchip exporter to continue its partnership with international grain trader Bunge at the Port of Bunbury.
The private sector is playing an increasing role in port development across Western Australia, as rising demand outstrips the government's capacity to deliver.