July 19, 2012

Australia's bulk wheat exports rise 16% ending June

Australia's bulk wheat exports rise 16% to 14 million tonnes, with exports to China over three-fold in first nine months of this marketing year, regulator Wheat Exports Australia reported Wednesday (July 18).

Indonesia continued to be the number one destination for Australian bulk wheat in the latest period, importing 2.4 million tonnes or 17% of the total, while Vietnam was Australia's second-biggest export market, taking 1.5 million tonnes or 11% of the total, the regulator reported in a statement.

Exports to China increased by more than one million tonnes in the first nine months of this marketing year to 1.4 million tonnes, it said.

"Following bad weather and disease in its domestic crops, analysts are predicting bulk wheat exports to China could increase even further," it said.

WEA also reported that non-bulk wheat exports reached 1.8 million tonnes in the first nine months of the marketing year. It didn't give a year-earlier figure. There were 26 accredited exporters as of June 30, of which 19 were active, it said.

Of bulk exports in the nine months to June 30, Western Australia accounted for 35%, South Australia 28%, New South Wales 17%, Victoria 14% and Queensland 6%, it said.