Harvest is well under way as WA’s grain handling giant reports double the amount of grain received compared with the same time last year.

Co-operative Bulk Handling Group has already received 2.7 million tonnes of WA’s predicted 23.93Mt grain harvest for the 2026 winter crop season.

Esperance Zone has received the bulk of the grain, recording about 852,000 tonnes, with Geraldton Zone following closely behind with 733,000 tonnes of grain received.

October 27 marked the biggest receival day in the Esperance Zone so far this harvest with 75,000 tonnes recorded.

Kwinana North Zone has received 622,000 tonnes and Kwinana South has recorded 333,000 tonnes of grain.

Growers in the Albany Zone are picking up the pace, delivering 172,000 tonnes into the grain handler’s network, with 16 sites now accepting grain.

The bulk of grain received across the State has been canola followed by barley and wheat.

Canola lead grain deliveries in the Albany and Esperance zones, barley formed the majority of grain delivered to the two Kwinana zones, and wheat is the main commodity delivered in the Geraldton Zone.

CBH chief operations officer Mick Daw said the start to harvest was already strong, and the tonnes would come in quicker and faster when growers weren’t interrupted by spring weather events.

“Harvest is already well under way in Geraldton and Esperance, with activity building across the other zones,” he said.

“Rain interrupted progress last week, but growers are making the most of suitable conditions to get their crops off.

“CBH is ready for bigger receival days as harvest builds.”

Rain in the last week of October slowed grain delivery momentum, but is expected to pick back up as growers plough on with their harvest.

Mr Daw urged growers and staff to be aware of their safety at receival sites during harvest.

“As always, please remember to think and act safely,” he said.

“Harvest is always a busy time, but we must put the safety of our teams, growers and everyone that comes to our sites above everything else.

“Drive to the rules of the site, be vigilant and respectful of everyone on the ground.”