Newsroom
2003
CWB to wrap up successful Churchill program with final grain shipment
October 16, 2003
Winnipeg – The Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) expects to load its final cargo at the Port of Churchill early next week, bringing total shipments of wheat, durum and barley for the 2003 shipping season to about 473 000 tonnes.
"This year's early harvest allowed us to move more grain through the port than we anticipated at the beginning of the season," explained Adrian Measner, President and CEO of the farmer-controlled CWB. "We are quite pleased that despite low stock levels caused by consecutive years of drought, we were able to use the Port of Churchill strategically to maximize returns to farmers."
The CWB puts more money in farmers' pockets by capitalizing on the lower freight rates to move grain to Churchill compared to moving that same grain all the way to alternate ports. The Port of Churchill is located on Hudson Bay.
"Once again the Port of Churchill performed very well for the movement of CWB grain," said Measner. The CWB has shipped 3.3 million tonnes through the port over the last 10 years.
The 2003 Churchill program was characterized by the diversity of the customers served through the port. Shipments destined for Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Europe have departed regularly since the port opened for business in July. The last ship for this year's program is bound for Italy and will be loaded next week with durum wheat.
Controlled by western Canadian farmers, the CWB is the largest wheat and barley marketer in the world. As one of Canada's biggest exporters, the Winnipeg-based organization sells grain to more than 70 countries and returns all sales revenue, less marketing costs, to Prairie farmers.
For more information, please contact:
Rhéal Cenerini
Communications consultant
Winnipeg, MB
tel: (204) 983-4497