July 7, 2009

Regulator Wheat Exports Australia said Tuesday (July 7) it has accredited Greentree Farming Exports Pty Ltd. as the first farming-based company permitted to export bulk wheat.

Greentree Farming, operated by Ron Greentree, one of Australia's biggest growers, will exclusively market wheat grown on its properties in northern New South Wales, WEA Chief Executive Peter Woods said in a statement.

"This is a new era in Australia's wheat marketing arrangements, where Greentree Farming now has complete control of its wheat from production, harvest, storage, marketing and exporting," he said.

Greentree Farming has built significant on-farm storage facilities on a number of its properties and is currently supplying wheat in containers for export, Woods said.

The accreditation of Greentree Farming shows the flexibility of the accreditation system in providing a range of wheat marketing models and has further broadened the wheat export arrangements, he said.

There are now 23 accredited exporters of bulk wheat.