1. About
2. CRT Card
3. Regional Overview
4. Governance
5. Choices Rewards
It’s amazing what happens when a group of farmers gets together……
Combined Rural Traders, or as it is more commonly known today, CRT, exists for one simple reason - to use the collective power of its shareholders to improve their individual profitability.
The very earliest roots of CRT stem from Producers Ltd, a company formed in Otago in 1927, which was merged into CRT during the 1980’s.
The co-operative has developed into a significant feature in the rural market, still totally in farmer ownership and control, and still with that clear focus on improving profitability for its farmers. CRT has grown to more than 23,000 shareholders, and these shareholders transact more than half a billion dollars worth of business through the
co-operative annually.
Farming is a difficult business where we have no control over the cyclical price for our products, or the weather. We have to continually challenge on and off farm costs to remain competitive in world markets. That’s where the co-operative model such as CRT comes into its own.
CRT is the largest buying group of its type in New Zealand and now has 30 CRT FarmCentres throughout the South Island stocking a full range of farm inputs. Categories include agchem, animal health, animal management, dairy, clothing, electric and conventional fencing, engine protectants, farm merchandise, feed conservation, fertiliser, horticulture, household, irrigation, drainage and water reticulation, stockfood and woolshed.
CRT’s role has been to create competition in price and service and the rapid growth and success of the Co-operative is a clear indication that its retail pricing is the benchmark for the market.
A key product is the CRT Card that evolved from the buying group activity of the co-operative in the early years. The CRT Card offers the security and EFTpos convenience you’d expect from your charge card. It incorporates both a Caltex StarCard and BP Fuel Card, and has more than 2,300 South Island and quite a number of national suppliers of products and services.
This extensive supplier network is a key part of the co-operative’s ability to deliver the best possible deals to our shareholders, and we deliver timely communications to ensure these deals are presented in a clear and concise way.
More than 25% of the 400 staff of CRT are active in the field with farmers - whether it is one of the team of 80 consultants transacting real estate business – or the 55 CRT Technical Field Officers providing product advice or specialist service in the areas of seed and chemical, animal health and nutrition, horticulture or water system design.
CRT Seed is the independent seed supplier to shareholders throughout the South Island offering the entire range of seeds and cultivars for pastoral and cereal farmers.
CRT Feed has developed a substantial business in animal nutrition manufacturing and distribution – and distributes products nationally for use in all types of farming.
CRT Real Estate is a major participant in the South Island real estate market, and a significant part of the CRT business.
CRT Fuel operates nationally distributing bulk fuels on-farm and to commercial customers, and is also involved in fuel storage solutions.
CRT Horticulture provides specialist advice and products into all key horticultural regions with a team of specialist horticulture agronomists.
CRT can also supply all your fertiliser needs through our strong relationship with Ballance, and provide water systems design and supply expertise.
CRT now also offer livestock services!
In fact, in farm inputs CRT can supply you with just about anything you need. Contact us today to find out more.