WA grain growers and their co-operative's contributions of $3 billion annually to the WA economy have been highlighted in a report released this week by independent advisor Deloitte Access Economics.
Published after good early season rains have fallen throughout the State, setting WA grain growers up for a potential above-average year, the report outlines the value behind CBH and its members' sizeable contribution to WA's economy and agriculture sector.
It estimates that one in every four dollars generated by the State's agricultural sector originates from CBH and its members.
CBH chief executive officer Andy Crane said the study confirmed the significance of the State's grains sector, and the vital economic and social benefits CBH delivered to all West Australians.
"The key metrics underscore the value of CBH and its members' social and economic contributions," Dr Crane said.
"Following decades of investment by generations of farmers, including capital investment in today's terms totalling $1.2 billion since 2009, CBH is Australia's most efficient and cost- effective grain supply-chain network.
"In the race to supply Asia's growing appetite for Australian grain, our network tips the field in favour of WA growers.
"We are the country's lowest cost grain storage handling and freight provider, giving WA growers supply-chain certainty and a competitive advantage to deliver into the world's biggest emerging grain markets in South East Asia."
Mr Crane said the recent Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper 2015 reinforced the importance of more equitable access to market supply chains for producers in Australia.
CBH is one of the Wheatbelt's largest employers, with half of its 1000-person workforce based regionally and more than 2000 casual staff employed during harvest.
Over and above the injection of capital into the regions via infrastructure investment, CBH also contributes $1.5 million into regional community projects each year.
"Our sole reason for existence is to create and return value to growers," Dr Crane said.
CBH's operations extend along the value chain from grain storage, handling, transport, marketing and processing.
Its infrastructure and assets include a state-of-the-art rail fleet dedicated to the most efficient transfer of grain from country receival points to its four port terminals.
In addition to its network infrastructure and operations in WA, the CBH has operations in eastern Australia, and offices in Hong Kong, Japan, Russia and the US.
It also owns a 50 per cent stake in Interflour which operates nine flour mills in Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Turkey, and a grain port terminal in Vietnam.
