Viterra executives say the company is addressing grain industry concerns in Australia.
Parliamentarians there launched a Senate inquiry in March to investigate complaints related to poor service and lack of competition.
The inquiry is looking at service delivery, the Australian shipping network and transportation infrastructure in all grain growing states.
The company launched its own post-harvest review and results are expected later this month, Fran Malecha, Viterra’s chief operating officer, told grain industry analysts last week.
The internal review and the government inquiry were triggered by complaints, primarily in the state of South Australia where Viterra has most of its Australian operation, over the company’s handling of the grain harvest.
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Producers complained about long lineups at elevators and inconsistent grain quality tests and methods.
Colleen Vancha, senior vice-president of Viterra’s investor relations and corporate affairs, said some of the service complaints are related to an aging infrastructure.
Viterra has bought about 80 falling number machines to be used to classify the grain. It has hired 200 permanent staff and created and trained a dedicated grain classification group to improve the company’s ability to grade growers’ grain.
