Gleadell Agriculture has just completed loading the MV Rig with 3000t of Group 1 milling wheat at the Port of Dover, destined for a milling wheat customer in Scotland.
The vessel is the first to be loaded at Dover with Gleadell’s new ship loader, which has the capacity to fill vessels of up to circa 6000t.
Gleadell’s trading director Jonathan Lane said: “Our aim is to be able to offer farmers opportunities to access the best possible markets.
“Most grain produced in Kent has to be transported outside of the county to other market outlets, so we saw this investment and partnership with the Port of Dover as a positive step for local farmers, the Port of Dover, ourselves and our customers.”
Gleadell is jointly owned by global agricultural processor ADM and French co-operative InVivo. Mr Lane said the company intended to utilise its shareholders’ wide market access, together with its own network of customers, to facilitate shipments to Continental Europe and the UK through the port.
Port of Dover director of corporate development Barbara Buczek said: “The Port of Dover is proud to partner with Gleadell Agriculture and support our local farmers and the UK economy by providing a gateway to a wider number of markets both here and in Europe.
“This new partnership forms part of the port’s commitment to the government’s Export is Great campaign, which promotes the benefits of diversifying UK sales across more than one market.”
