January 17, 2011

Australia delays agricultural exports on floods

Australia's vital agricultural exports are being held up as ports shuts its doors due to the floods in Queensland.

There are 140,000 tonnes of grain scheduled to be exported from the Brisbane port in January, but it's been closed due to flooding hazards.

Waiting offshore of Bundaberg is a sugar ship which is unable to load and export because that port is also closed.

Agricultural economist Jeff Bennett says exporters will need to maintain good communication with overseas buyers about the situation.

"The ability of Australia to satisfy our international buyers, depends on not just price, it also depends on the quality of the product we're supplying and the promptness by which we can put these products into the hands of our buyers," said Bennet

"All of these factors are being impacted by the floods," he added.