CBH Group’s economic strength and importance to WA outlined

12 April 2016

Australia’s largest co-operative, the West Australian CBH grain group, yesterday released an economic impact study highlighting its financial benefits for grower-shareholders and the importance of its overall contribution to the state’s economy.

The study, carried out by Deloitte Access Economics, found the co-operative and its grower members contributed $3 billion to the WA economy in 2014/15 accounting for 25% of WA’s agricultural economic activity. CBH, a BCCM member, is also one of WA’s largest employers, with a full time workforce of more than 1000, and an additional 2000 seasonal jobs created during peak season.

Releasing the report, federal Agriculture Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said the independent study’s findings proved the importance of co-operative structures in keeping agricultural profits in the hands of “mum and dad” farmers, even after rural production has been value-added and exported.

CBH chief executive Andy Crane said the Deloitte study confirmed the significance of the state’s grains sector, and the benefits of the CBH co-operative.

“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. Our sole reason for existence is to create and return value to growers”, added Dr Crane.

The CBH Group is 100% owned by its 4,200 Western Australian grower members, handles more than 90% of the State’s grain production, and is Australia’s largest exporter, shipping grain to 250 customers across 30 countries.

Read the report.
Read the fact sheet.
Read about the Federal government’s Farm Co-operatives and Collaboration Pilot Program.