Bunge opens more sites

Global grain trader Bunge is on track to open its Kukerin and Arthur River receival sites in time for the 2015 harvest.

Construction work began on the Kukerin site back in June, while work started on the second up country site at Arthur River several weeks ago.

The two developments are estimated to cost around $10 million.

Bunge WA regional manager Christopher Tyson said the initial plan for the new receival sites included around 120,000 tonne storage capacity to be built at Kukerin and 200,000 tonnes at Arthur River.

Both could be expanded in the future, according to demand.

"We need to get a feel for what the growers' needs and wants are, and we will grow with them," he said.

"The same is the case for segregations."

The group will initially receive wheat and barley at both sites.

Mr Tyson said Bunge was offering an attractive premium and contracts were already being taken for the new harvest.

He said the new terminals are likely to appeal to those growers who were looking to take advantage of the recently constructed Bunge Bunbury Port Facility and the premiums it offered.

"Our core focus is still the on farm storage, but there was also need for an alternative, which is why the up country storage is being built," Mr Tyson said.

He said it was likely each site would employ about 12 people over harvest.

As part of the Arthur River development, Main Roads has floated two options for major roadworks on Albany Highway at Arthur River that would streamline access to that receival site and the port.

One is for an overpass and the other for a major roundabout.

The work includes realigning the road from Wagin and the Coalfields Highways so they intersect Albany Highway at the same point.

The two new facilities should help Bunge fulfill its aim of more than doubling exports from Bunbury in its second year of operation.

Bunge has made seven shipments of wheat and barley, totalling 250,000 tonnes, from its $40 million Bunbury terminal in the first year.

Shipments went to the Philippines, Indonesia and China.