Philippines buys UK feed wheat

A cargo of 50,000 tonnes of British feed wheat has been sold to the Philippines and loading should be completed today, Stuart Shand, sales director for UK merchant Gleadell said.

British wheat sales are dominated by customers within the EU, with Spain the most important market. Sales to Asia are unusual. There had been no sales to Asian customers in the current season up to the end of January, according to customs data. The season began on July 1 last year.

In the 2008-09 season (July-June), China bought 50,746 tonnes of British wheat in the only deal with an Asian customer, customs data shows.

Feed wheat imports into the Philippines surged last year following a recovery in the country's feed industry which was hit by soaring raw material costs and animal disease in 2008. Black Sea producers Ukraine and Russia have been key suppliers to the Philippines.