October 19, 2012

UK wheat exports down 84% to 26,804 tonnes in August

Compared to the same month in 2011, UK wheat exports dropped 84% to 26,804 tonnes in August this year.

Shipments in July and August, the first two months of the 2012-13 marketing year, totalled 64,980 tonnes, compared with 281,603 tonnes in the same period from last season, the customs data showed Wednesday (Oct.17).

The month's largest buyer was Portugal, which took 9,919 tonnes, while the Netherlands, a traditional customer of UK wheat, accounted for 7,052 tonnes.

Wet weather has hit this year's wheat harvest, resulting in a prevalence of thin and shrivelled grain, with farmers being penalised for missing contracted quality targets, the farm ministry said Monday (Oct 15).