New grain store business key step in boosting business practice

The creation of a major new UK grain storage business will help boost best practice across the sector and ensure real benefits throughout the supply chain, the NFU said today.

Ten farmer-owned grain storage co-operatives have joined forces to create Network Grain UK with the aim of creating and delivering greater value across the supply chain.

NFU combinable crops board chairman Ian Backhouse said the development was a positive move for the arable sector.

He said: "Successive reforms of the CAP mean arable farmers and their customers are being exposed to increased international competition and current volatile market conditions emphasise the need to sustain an improved bottom line for arable farmers.

"This move is a positive step for the arable sector and we look forward to continuing our good working relationship with the businesses involved and seeing a faster take up of best practice throughout all grain stores. This should result in opportunities to capture real value and deliver real improvements in profitability back to the farmer-owners and users of central storage."