An
interview with Jean-Phillipe Sainte Maresville, Nord Cereales, Responsible Silo
et Developement, France
During a recent trip to France to attend the JTIC show in Paris, the Milling And Grain editorial team stopped by Nord Céréales in Dunkirk. Here we met with Jean Phillipe Sainte Maresville to talk about the company’s pivotal role in the export and import of cereals to and from France.
“Nord Céréales is an ownership cooperative formed in 1984 by small farmers,” Jean-Phillipe explained. “We have 20 shareholders who sell to exporters who then sell to different countries.”
Strategically located
Nord Céréales’ impressive complex of silos, docks, railheads and roadways are strategically situated in the central zone of the port of Dunkirk, which allows them access to vessels over the 14-m gauge via the Charles De Gaulle lock, with a capacity of 110,000 tonnes. They also enjoy easy road and rail access (a major motorway hub is close by, and the site enjoys major marshalling yards and railroad links that pass through the centre of the plant).
“On a good year we handle three million tonnes,” Jean-Philippe explained. Most of the grain comes from Northern France by truck, train, or barge. Nord-Céréales serves cooperatives and merchants from the Dunkirk hinterland, which is made up of three leading regions—Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Champagne, and Picardie—and accounts for forty percent of domestic grain production in France.”
According to Jean-Philippe, 40 percent of the grain arrives by truck, another 40 percent by boat and the remaining 20 percent by train. A recent trend is that train traffic is increasing while truck traffic is declining. “The coop members have better logistics with the trains,” Jean-Phillipe explained, “because most of our customers are in the Nord du pan Calais. There are a also lot of rivers so many use barges.”
Because Dunkirk is a major port, the many rail links give Nord- Céréales a competitive advantage over its rivals. “Dunkirk is the main grain terminal for the Nord du Calais La Rochelle,” Jean-Phillipe explained. “We have a lot of competition with Belgium. Starting four years ago we gained a new customer who ships to Dunkirk by train. Before they went to Rouan or Ostend, or Zebrugge in Belgium. These three are our biggest competitors. The other large French ports for grain are Montrois, LeHavre, Rouan, and Marseilles. However, in Dunkirk we have a big advantage because we can load and unload two Panamax at the same time.”
Read more HERE.
During a recent trip to France to attend the JTIC show in Paris, the Milling And Grain editorial team stopped by Nord Céréales in Dunkirk. Here we met with Jean Phillipe Sainte Maresville to talk about the company’s pivotal role in the export and import of cereals to and from France.
“Nord Céréales is an ownership cooperative formed in 1984 by small farmers,” Jean-Phillipe explained. “We have 20 shareholders who sell to exporters who then sell to different countries.”
Strategically located
Nord Céréales’ impressive complex of silos, docks, railheads and roadways are strategically situated in the central zone of the port of Dunkirk, which allows them access to vessels over the 14-m gauge via the Charles De Gaulle lock, with a capacity of 110,000 tonnes. They also enjoy easy road and rail access (a major motorway hub is close by, and the site enjoys major marshalling yards and railroad links that pass through the centre of the plant).
“On a good year we handle three million tonnes,” Jean-Philippe explained. Most of the grain comes from Northern France by truck, train, or barge. Nord-Céréales serves cooperatives and merchants from the Dunkirk hinterland, which is made up of three leading regions—Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Champagne, and Picardie—and accounts for forty percent of domestic grain production in France.”
According to Jean-Philippe, 40 percent of the grain arrives by truck, another 40 percent by boat and the remaining 20 percent by train. A recent trend is that train traffic is increasing while truck traffic is declining. “The coop members have better logistics with the trains,” Jean-Phillipe explained, “because most of our customers are in the Nord du pan Calais. There are a also lot of rivers so many use barges.”
Because Dunkirk is a major port, the many rail links give Nord- Céréales a competitive advantage over its rivals. “Dunkirk is the main grain terminal for the Nord du Calais La Rochelle,” Jean-Phillipe explained. “We have a lot of competition with Belgium. Starting four years ago we gained a new customer who ships to Dunkirk by train. Before they went to Rouan or Ostend, or Zebrugge in Belgium. These three are our biggest competitors. The other large French ports for grain are Montrois, LeHavre, Rouan, and Marseilles. However, in Dunkirk we have a big advantage because we can load and unload two Panamax at the same time.”
Read more HERE.
The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.
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