April 12, 2010

GrainCorp rejects criticism on wheat quality

Grain bulk handling company GrainCorp denies the quality of Australian wheat is declining, pointing to its quality report for the latest harvest.

The company said export grain going from its bulk handling system to ships meets all the required standards and customer expectations. However, the former monopoly wheat exporter AWB insisits the quality of wheat in Australia is falling, and customers are getting fed up and threatening to buy elsewhere.

GrainCorp's chief executive Ian Wilton said views like AWB's do significant damage to Australia's reputation. "If the industry is not careful, a situation will emerge where the market believes that wheat quality is a real problem, when in fact the data show that eastern Australian wheat quality remains excellent," he said in a statement.

"It is time for everyone to get behind the grains industry in a constructive, well informed and positive manner," he said. "If we do this, we can really take advantage of some of the many new opportunities that exist to grow a more profitable and dynamic industry."