As farmers race to spread urea on this year’s wheat and canola crops, ports like GeelongPort are playing a key role in meeting that demand.
Urea is widely used in agriculture as a nitrogen-based fertiliser and without it Victorian and Southern NSW cropping farmers estimate yield losses from winter crops of 20-50 per cent.
There is still a small window for spreading urea on wheat crops, but timing has become critical for canola.
Without urea, Victorian and Southern NSW cropping farmer estimate yield losses from winter crops of 20-50 per cent. There is still a small window for spreading urea on wheat crops, but timing has become critical for canola.
GeelongPort’s significance in this supply chain becomes apparent when considering Australia’s vital role in canola production. Australia produces 1.9 to 2.7 million tonnes of canola grain each year and is widely regarded for its high-quality canola exports to some significant international markets, including EU, Japan, China, Pakistan and the UAE.
In 2022-23, GeelongPort facilitated the import of approximately 1.7 million tonnes of fertiliser and anticipates another strong year of fertiliser imports due to the stable demand and tightened near-term global supplies. After a worldwide shortage of urea in 2018, which put pressure Australia’s agricultural industry, GeelongPort understands the important role it plays in enhancing supply chain reliability.
GeelongPort has implemented innovative solutions to streamline the importation process. The state-of-the-art mobile hopper system enables seamless movement of exports from ships to suppliers. This efficient approach not only reduces handling time but also ensures that the supply chain remains robust and responsive to the needs of the agricultural industry.
Elias Anastasiou, General Manager Commercial at GeelongPort said he was proud of the organisation’s pivotal role in meeting the demand for urea as it drives agriculture in our region and wider Victoria.
“With a sense of urgency mounting for wheat and canola crops, we recognise the significance of supporting the importation of record fertiliser volumes,” he said.
“Innovation propels our operations, and we take great pride in GeelongPort’s status as a world-class port. As we anticipate another year of strong fertiliser imports, we remain committed to sustaining agricultural productivity and contributing to the success of Victorian farmers.”
GeelongPort is proud to support our key customers during this important time.