June 9, 2006

US expresses interest in next India wheat tender

US exporters are soon expected to have a better shot at competing to sell wheat to India when the country issues its next tender, according to US government officials.

An "Indian wheat tender will likely be issued in the next few days," a US Department of Agriculture official said Wednesday (Jun 7). "I would expect that it will be acceptable to our exporters and that they will aggressively compete for the Indian business."

US exporters were frustrated with India's previous tenders, Rebecca Coleman, a director for the export group US Wheat Associates said in a recent statement. She said terms were "problematic" for US-origin wheat. Indian Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar met with US Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and other USDA officials Wednesday during a visit to the US.