The Adelaide Advertiser reports that the company is considering partnering with an oil retailer such as Shell to distribute fuel to rural customers via Elders’ 230 rural outlets.

Shell already uses a similar model in its Shell/Coles service stations in cities.

Hunt told the newspaper that Elders already partnered Shell in selling lubricants through its stores but was also looking at providing unattended bowsers in remote locations, with payment for fuel via credit cards.

Elders already offers insurance, banking and telecommunications products among its core rural services through 230 outlets.

Elders and a partner are also studying the business benefits of having two ethanol-processing plants in New South Wales, using grain grown by Elders farmer-clients as a resource, Hunt said.