Ravensdown is trialling a new source of phosphate rock from Australia in a bid to secure its New Zealand supply of superphosphate.
A 5000-tonne shipment from the newly commissioned Ardmore Mine in Queensland, Australia is on its way to Lyttelton Port, in Christchurch, and Dunedin’s Port Otago.
Ravensdown supply chain general manager Mike Whitty says Ardmore phosphate rock has the potential to form part of Ravensdown’s nutrient offering and help firm up the local supply of high-quality superphosphate for NZ.
“If the last few years have proven anything, it’s the value of having more options,” Whitty said.
“We’re operating in an ongoing environment of instability when it comes to managing supply chain risks and increasing costs. It’s a culmination of familiar factors – including the conflict in Ukraine, political tensions in other parts of the world – and we’re seeing that covid-19 has a very long tail.”
Lasting effects of the pandemic reached beyond simple shipping delays, he said.
“As a co-operative, it’s our job to identify and manage those risks on behalf of our farmer and grower shareholders. We’re committed to ensuring they have ongoing access to the essential nutrients needed to run their businesses.”
The trial shipment will undergo quality testing at Ravensdown’s Christchurch and Dunedin manufacturing sites.
The export operation at Ardmore Phosphate Rock Mine is owned by a 100% subsidiary of Centrex Ltd, Agriflex Pty Ltd.
Whitty says Ravensdown will continue to investigate and trial other sources of phosphate rock closer to NZ as part of its ongoing effort to manage quality, surety and cost risks for local farmers and growers.
