June 3, 2009

International demand for Australian wheat is strong with 23 accredited bulk exporters providing increased competition, regulator Wheat Exports Australia (WEA) said Wednesday (June 3).

 

More than 5.9 million tonnes of bulk wheat were exported by 15 exporters to 39 countries in the five months ended April 30, compared with 1.7 million tonnes in the year-earlier period, which suffered well below average production due to a drought in key growing areas, WEA said in a statement.

 

Of exports in the latest period, Iran accounted for 20 percent, Indonesia 18 percent, while South Korea took 7 percent of exports, Japan 6 percent, and Yemen and Sudan accounted for 5 percent each, WEA reported.

 

"Of particular note is the pace of exports and the ability of export participants to find markets for all grades of wheat, in significant volumes, including weather-effected wheat," it said.

 

Australian bulk wheat exports were liberalized on July 1, 2008, ending a monopoly system operated by AWB Ltd.