July 10, 2006

 

Australia resumes wheat exports to India

 

 

Australia's AWB Ltd has resumed wheat exports to India and a government official Friday said six shipments carrying a total of 289,500 tonnes are expected to arrive at various Indian ports by the third week of August.

 

"Of the 500,000 tonne wheat purchase contract under a tender issued in February, four shipments carrying a total 161,500 tonnes will arrive by the third week of August," federal government's Principal Information Officer Deepak Sandhu told reporters.

 

She said 92,000 tonnes purchased under the contract from AWB had arrived in April and May.

 

Sandhu did not give the arrival schedule for the remaining 246,500 tonnes under the 500,000-tonne contract.

 

The entire quantity of 500,000 tonnes wheat from this contract was initially to be delivered by mid-May but cargoes got delayed over quality issues.

 

From another contract for 500,000 tonnes, awarded to AWB last month, two shipments carrying a total 128,000 tonnes are expected to arrive in Mundra port on India's west coast by the last week of July.

 

India also purchased 300,000 tonnes wheat of Russian origin from Agrico Trade and Finance last month.

 

Sandhu said this wheat will arrive in three lots of 100,000 tonnes in each of the three months to September on India's east coast.

 

On Jun 28, India awarded contracts for purchase of a total 2.2 million tonnes wheat to five companies.

 

Sandhu said this wheat will arrive in three Indian ports by January 2007.

 

She said 1.38 million tonnes wheat will be delivered by suppliers in Mundra, another 100,000 tonnes in Mumbai and 720,000 tonnes in Kandla, all on India's west coast.