June 16, 2006

Nigeria is US's top wheat customer for 2005-06

Nigeria has become the top customer for US wheat, the US Wheat Associates (USW) reported.

Nigeria imported 3.04 million tonnes, a 20 percent increase over last year.

Japan, the former leader last year, came in a close second at 2.97 million tonnes.

The other customers of US wheat were, in descending order: Mexico, Iraq, Philippines, Egypt, South Korea and Venezuela all of which imported at least 1 million tonnes each. The EU 25 countries imported 1.48 million tonnes.

For the year, the US exported 25.3 million tonnes of wheat, down 5 percent from last year, due to higher prices.

The total US wheat supply available for export was lower, due to lower production and slightly higher domestic use.

Iraq is the most prominent success for US wheat in the Middle East this marketing year, with sales coming in almost five times higher than 2004-05.

Russian and Ukrainian wheats were generally 25 percent cheaper than US wheat, but the wheat was also of lesser quality. Egypt's US imports were about 35 percent less than last year and Yemen was about 20 percent less. Sales to several markets, such as Jordan, Lebanon, Sudan, and Cyprus were all lower, also due to cheap Black Sea competition.

US wheat sales were generally lower to the countries in North Asia, but they all remain on the high end of US wheat customers. Exports to China were down substantially, however, from over 2 million tonnes in 2004-05 to 380,000 tonnes this year. Sales to Thailand were 12 percent higher this year.

On the whole, European countries bought about 5 percent less this year than last. Wheat exports to Europecame in at 1.52 million tonnes, compared to 1.61 million tonnes in 2004-05.