UniGrain Expands into Oat Milling and Processing in Western Australia

Growing demand from Asian markets has prompted another Australia grain player to follow in the footsteps of the CBH Group, which recently purchased oat manufacturer Blue Lake Milling, and expand into oat processing for export.

Victoria-based UniGrain has acquired Morten Seed and Grain’s oat milling and processing assets in Wagin, in Western Australia, and is in the process of expansion to prepare for the expected high level of competition to buy oats this coming harvest.

Prices for oats have reached $350 per ton in the state, and UniGrain expects to accumulate in excess of 100,000 tons of milling oats this season, with the very real possibility of doubling production in the near future.

"WA is a huge market from an oat growing perspective so it was really key for us to expand into this market and get access to product," said UniGrain director, Andrew May. "The demand for oats is growing at a really rapid rate and fundamentals for the market are really strong.”