Friday, 19 November 2021 12:55

Ballance breaks ground on Whangarei hub

Written by Staff Reporters

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

Dan Hauraki, Pari Walker and Opania George at the new site.

Ballance Agri-Nutrients has started building their new hub in Whangarei, after a pre-dawn ceremony to bless the site yesterday.

The Whangarei hub is phase two of more than $50m of investment in the Northland region which the company says signals it’s long-term intent in Northland.

The existing infrastructure on the site at 223 Kioreroa Road will be upgraded to benefit the Northland regions expanding agricultural sector, including the horticulture industry.

Ballance will use the Kioreroa Road site for blending, bagging and distribution to customers around Whangarei and is the central distribution hub for Northland.

The Marsden Point site, opened 21 June, is a bulk storage and transitional facility for product coming directly from Northport, and a customer service centre.

“Kioreroa Road will be a place where vital nutrients for food production are blended using world leading technology, specifically designed for Northland farmers and growers in the wider region and our distribution network,” says Shane Dufaur, Ballance general manager: operations and supply chain.

Dufaur says the company will move from its current Port Road site to the new site in the 2022/23 season.

“Balance is focused on the future of farming and growing in Northland, that is why we have invested in precision automated technology and digital infrastructure that will enhance product quality and reliability of supply,” says Dufaur.

More like this

How farmers make spring count

OPINION: Spring is a critical season for farmers – a time when the right decisions can set the tone for productivity and profitability throughout the year.

Ballance Kapuni plant hit by gas supply issues

Fertiliser co-operative Ballance has written down $88 million - the full value of its Kapuni urea plant in Taranaki - from its balance sheet in the face of a looming gas shortage.

Urea plant faces forced closure over gas supply

One of New Zealand’s largest fertiliser plants could be forced to shut down for four months as uncertainty looms over gas supply.

Fert co-op extends fixed price offer

Ballance Agri-Nutrients is expanding its fixed price offer to help customers manage input costs with greater certainty over the coming season.

SustaiN lands NZ registration

Ballance Agri-Nutrients fertiliser SustaiN – which contains a urease inhibitor that reduces the amount of ammonia released to the air – has now been registered by the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI). It is the first fertiliser in New Zealand to achieve this status.

Featured

Maui Milk achieves grass-fed certification in NZ

Sheep milk processor Maui Milk has achieved grass-fed certification of milk supply against the AsureQuality Grass-Fed Scheme.

Editorial: No need to worry

OPINION: What goes up must come down. So, global dairy prices retreating from lofty heights in recent months wouldn’t come as a surprise to many farmers.

Fonterra directors set for pay rise pending AGM approval

Fonterra directors and councillors are in for a pay rise next month.

Local government shake-up 'long overdue' - Feds

Federated Farmers says it is cautiously welcoming signals from the Government that a major shake-up of local government is on its way.

Ashburton Farmer Matthew Paton Elected to Ruralco Board

Ashburton cropping and dairy farmer Matthew Paton has been elected to the board of rural services company, Ruralco.

Rabobank 2026 Outlook: Geopolitics shapes global agriculture

The global agricultural landscape has entered a new phase where geopolitics – not only traditional market forces – will dictate agricultural trade flows, prices, and production decisions.