AWB has announced the closure of the 2004/05 Number 1 National Pool effective from 5pm (AEST) today for further port zones in New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and WA.

The 2004/05 Number 1 National Pool is now closed in the port zones of Port Kembla in NSW, Port Lincoln and Port Giles in SA, Melbourne in Victoria and Fremantle in WA.

Harvest is complete in those port zones and the Guaranteed Access Dates have been passed during the past two weeks. AWB has closed the Pool in order to protect value for participants in the current marketing environment.

AWB has a Number 2 Pool in all areas where the Number 1 Pool has been closed. All EPRs for the Number 2 National Pool remain at a $15/t discount of those of the Number 1 Pool. This means APW is $182/t, APH is $201.50, ASWN is $184/t and APDR is $212//t.

AWB reminds growers that from tomorrow, the Guaranteed Access Dates for the remaining port zones will have all expired, or are approaching (see table below). After this time, the Number 1 National Pool may close for deliveries without further notice.

With harvest still continuing in some areas of the Victorian Western Districts, AWB has kept the Number 1 Pool open in the Geelong port zone, although it has not extended the Guaranteed Access Date.

Remaining Guaranteed Access Dates for the 2004/05 AWB National Pool