Australia's wheat might lose export markets

Australia needs to quickly develop an international wheat promotion and training programme or risk losing export markets, according to a grain co-operative manager.

Southern Quality Produce Co-operative executive officer Michael Porter made the call for Australian wheat promotion after returning from a trade mission to Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Mr Porter was one of five grain company representatives and four farmers on the trade mission, organised by Victorian Department of Primary Industries manager for China, Thailand and Vietnam Bryan Balmer.

Mr Porter said there was a distinct preference in these markets for Australian wheat over US, Canadian and European wheat.

"But since the loss of the single desk, they were losing service and information on the type of wheat they want," Mr Porter said.

"The US Wheat Associates were visiting individual plants, particularly in Thailand and the Philippines every year."

The US Wheat Associates is an organisation set up to promote US wheat. It receives about 75% of its funding from the US Government for its overseas promotional activities.