April 5, 2006

Australia's AWB courting India for more wheat purchases

Australian wheat exporter AWB Ltd has more wheat available for sale if extra demand comes from India, said Ian Donges, Chairman of AWB's international unit on Wednesday (Apr 5).

AWB has 17.7 million tonnes of wheat available for export from the crop harvested mostly in November and December, making it a major global supplier.

"If there's an opportunity I can assure you we'll be taking it," Donges said.

Sarah Scales, general manager of AWB's international unit, which manages AWB's collective export sales pool, said she had heard trade rumours and read wire reports about further demand from India.

Reports have said India might be needing an extra 1.5 million tonnes of wheat.

"It seems that India does need some wheat," Scales told reporters. "I'm not sure of the numbers, but the trade talk isn't surprising."

AWB now is executing the sale of 500,000 tonnes to India.

Generally, she described the demand for wheat in the past two months as steady, with no real surprises.