December 17, 2004

EU Gives Quota Wheat Import Licenses for 14,000 Tons to Dec 13

The European Commission has issued import licenses for 14,000 metric tons of wheat under the European Union import quota for low- and medium-quality wheat in the week to Dec. 13, according to official figures issued by the European Commission on Thursday.

Of the tonnage awarded, 14,000 tons was given in the 'other origins' contingent, so that 897,809 tons remain available until the end of the year.

The quota, which carries an import duty of EUR12/ton, totals 2,981,600 tons, which breaks down into 2,371,600 tons for the other-origins contingent, 38,000 tons for the Canadian contingent and 572,000 tons for the US wheat contingent.

The other-origins contingent is broken into four quarterly tranches, each totaling 592,900 tons, with traders able to apply for each tranche from the first Monday after Jan. 1, April 1, July 1 and Oct. 1.