Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
February 15, 2008
The
Canadian Wheat Board’s revenues increased by $1.45 billion
in 2006-07 to $4.95 billion, with 91 per cent returned to
Prairie farmers. The figures are outlined in the CWB’s 2006-07
annual report, Farmers First, copies of which are now available.
Revenues were up across the four pool accounts – wheat, durum,
designated barley and feed barley. Production levels were
slightly higher than the five-year average, while crop quality
was high and consistent. More than 85 per cent of wheat and more
than 80 per cent of durum fell into the top two grades.
“Western Canadian farmers produced a large, high-quality crop
despite a wet spring and drought later on,” said Greg Arason,
president and CEO. Farmers delivered more than 21.5 million
tonnes of grain into the wheat, durum, designated barley and
feed barley pools, up 2.7 million tonnes from the 2005-06 crop
year.
“The annual report highlights some very significant
achievements,” said Arason. “The net spreads between CWB sales
and values achieved by our competitors are impressive: $6 per
tonne for wheat; $7.77 for durum; and $13.45 for designated
barley.”
Arason noted that a number of new initiatives and service
improvements to farmers were also introduced in 2006-07. Payment
and delivery options were enhanced, as were online services
available to farmers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. New
value-added opportunities were launched. The Pre-Delivery Top-up
and Delivery Exchange Contract were expanded. A Wheat Storage
Program was launched, ensuring a consistent stock of high
quality product for premium customers. The CWB also began a
multi-year overhaul of operational processes to drive
efficiencies and increase e-Business opportunities for farmers.
“All of this leaves the CWB well positioned to capitalize on
opportunities to offer farmers new and improved services,”
Arason said.
Copies of the 2006-07 annual report will be available from the
CWB Web site at www.cwb.ca. It
also can be ordered by phoning the CWB at 1 800 275 4292 or
e-mailing questions@cwb.ca.
Controlled by western Canadian farmers, the CWB is the
largest wheat and barley marketer in the world. One of Canada’s
biggest exporters, the Winnipeg-based company sells grain to
over 70 countries and returns all sales revenue, less marketing
costs, to farmers. |
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