Mole Valley Farmers has signed a new agreement with ABP’s Port of Ayr strengthening the cooperative’s ability to source, store and distribute key feed raw materials across Scotland and the North of England.
The agreement means key feed ingredients can be brought closer to the company’s customers and mills, reducing reliance on longer road journeys from other ports around the country.
The deal is another important step in safeguarding supply at a time when global markets, geopolitical tensions, weather events and changing trade patterns continue to put pressure on feed ingredient availability.
The Port of Ayr, owned and operated by Association of British Ports (ABP), sits on Scotland’s west coast at the entrance to the Firth of Clyde and is strategically positioned to serve Mole Valley Farmers’ customers and feed manufacturing operations.
Jack Cordery, Mole Valley Farmers’ chief executive, said the agreement was about giving the business more options, more flexibility and more confidence when planning feed production and customer deliveries.
He said: “It is about building resilience into our supply chain so we can continue to support farmers whatever is happening in the wider world.
“By working with the Port of Ayr, we can bring key ingredients closer to our Coylton Mill and improve our ability to plan ahead by storing feed and keeping our mills supplied during the busy winter-feeding period.”
Mole Valley Farmers has a similar partnership with Cattedown Wharves in Plymouth, allowing greater control of how raw materials are shipped, stored and moved through its network of UK mills.
Port of Ayr offers specialist dry bulk handling facilities, as well as covered storage for weather-sensitive cargoes and open storage space for larger volume. It handles around 34,000 tonnes of cargo each year and plays an important role in supporting regional supply chains.
Bryan Davies, divisional port manager at ABP, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Mole Valley Farmers and supporting a business that plays such an important role in the agricultural sector.
“The Port of Ayr has a long history of handling agricultural commodities, and this agreement demonstrates the value of regional ports in connecting customers with the wider supply chain.
“We look forward to developing this partnership and supporting Mole Valley Farmers’ operations for many years to come.”
The first feed deliveries under the agreement are expected to arrive at the Port in Ayr in November.
