THE CBH Group has announced there will be no increase in storage and handling fees this harvest, with costs to remain flat for the second consecutive year.
CBH general manager of operations David Capper said the hold on fees was primarily driven by last year’s record harvest combined with increased efficiencies, which have put the co-operative in a strong financial position.
“As a result of a continued focus on reducing costs, we’re in a position to hold all our storage and handling fees flat and absorb inflation increases for the 2017-18 harvest,” Mr Capper said.
“Along with a rigorous capital management policy in place, we’re able to continue funding and delivering the Network Strategy.
“We remain focused on delivering the most efficient and cost-effective supply chain so that we remain competitive nationally and around the world.
“Holding our fees is just one of the ways we create and return value to growers and is a key benefit of our co-operative structure.”
As part of the Network Strategy, CBH has been focused on the construction and upgrade of 25 key projects that will deliver 300,000 tonnes of additional capacity in 2017.
Works underway include weighbridge replacements at Canna and Marchagee, storage and site upgrades to Koorda, Konnongorring, York, Mirambeena and Gairdner and an equipment upgrade at Cascade.
Major maintenance at each of the four key ports has also been completed.
