Viterra drops plans to acquire Cargill sites in South Australia

Viterra no longer plans to acquire the South Australian GrainFlow handling and storage sites and mobile ship loader from Cargill, and the companies have withdrawn their application from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Viterra and Cargill initially announced the acquisition this September. The five Cargill GrainFlow sites that were part of the transaction are located at Maitland, Crystal Brook, Mallala, Pinnaroo and Dimboola. The mobile ship loader is located at Port Adelaide.

“Viterra remains focused on increasing competition for SA and western Victorian growers by attracting buyers to purchase more local grain,” the company said. “We are continuing to look at opportunities to enhance the SA supply chain through improving efficiencies and enhancing service levels for customers.”

Cargill will continue to be a major exporter purchasing grain through the Viterra network and remains committed to increasing their volumes as a key exporter from the state, Viterra said.

Viterra said in the past five years growers have benefited from a doubling in the number of exporters purchasing within its network.

“Buyers choose supply chains that are efficient, flexible, and have strong quality management, high performing assets and competitively priced services,” Viterra said. “The SA grain supply chain competes with interstate and international origins, including the Black Sea, Canada, US and South America who are also constantly making improvements to their supply chains.”

Tags: Viterra, Australia, Cargill