Australia state sets sights on Asia's grain market

Representatives of the Victorian grain industry on a trade mission are looking forward to build their market in the South East Asia.

Victoria's Department of Primary Industries manager for China, Thailand and Vietnam, Bryan Balmer, led the delegation to seek new grain business opportunities without undercutting trade by existing Australian exporters. He said they were also after feedback from Asian millers, bakers and traders on Australian grain quality and supply.

Newly returned from a tour of Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam, the grain traders are positive about their prospects, having met with enthusiastic millers.

A business based in Rupanyup, Wimmera Grain, already had leads from the Philippines and Vietnam as a direct result of the trade mission, according to its operations manager Ronnie Cahill.

He said the feedback they'd received was that promotion of Australian wheat and technical support to millers had become non-existent since the abolition of the single desk in Australia.