Australia wheat exports rose 18 percent in August

Wheat exports from Australia jumped 18 percent in August to 1.24 million tonnes, taking total exports in the first 11 months of the marketing year to 13.59 million tonnes, the government's Bureau of Statistics reported Wednesday.

In its monthly wheat use and stocks publication, the bureau reported domestic use of wheat in August of 376,900 tonnes, taking total domestic use in the year to August 31 to 4.4 million tonnes.

Wheat exports and domestic use totalled 1.62 million tonnes in August and 17.98 million tonnes year-to-date, it reported.

Wheat stored by Australian bulk handlers at August 31 totalled 4.49 million tonnes, down 23 percent or 1.33 million tonnes from July 31, it said.

Wheat held on August 31 comprised 3.45 million tonnes of milling grade, or 77 percent of the total, with feed grade comprising the balance of 1.04 million tonnes.

Of stored wheat at the end of August, 2.18 million tonnes was committed for export and 744,400 tonnes was committed for domestic use, the bureau said.

Wheat stocks typically peak after harvest late in the calendar year, then dwindle as a result of exports and domestic use.