May 24, 2007

Australia's ABB Grain hopes to widen its wheat exports

ABB Grain Limited from South Australia is looking forward to export more wheat in containers following the Federal Government's decision to deregulate the market next year.

The company operates container packing operations in South Australia and Victoria and manager of the national supply chain, John Warda, says the market is already showing growth signs. He said the firm is currently looking at upgrading the Port Adelaide facility to accommodate the growing demand.

The Australian government wants to open up the container and bagged wheat market after July 2008, while holding on to the single desk for bulk shipments.

Warda said container freight rates are inching closer to bulk grain freight rates due to Panamax's increasing rates which spurred request marketers to seek access in their container packing facilities.