Australia bulk wheat exports jump in 9 months ended in June

Bulk wheat exports from Australia more than tripled in the nine months ended June 30 compared with the year-ago period, the export wheat industry's regulator, Wheat Exports Australia, reported Tuesday (July 21).

More than 9.0 million tonnes of bulk wheat were exported to 40 countries during the period, the WEA reported in its periodic publication, Wheat Export News.

It didn't provide an exact figure for the latest period, which compares with an actual 2.92 million tonnes in the year-ago period, a relatively low figure due in part to strong exports in bags and containers and limited availability as a result of drought-reduced production in 2006 and 2007.

"Sixteen accredited companies have exercised their new bulk wheat accreditation, in turn providing a competitive market for Australian growers," WEA said.

In the latest period, Iran accounted for 18 percent of the total, while Indonesia accounted for 17 percent, with Yemen taking 7 percent, Sudan 6 percent, South Korea 5 percent and the rest mostly to a range of Asian, Middle East and Pacific nations.

Bahrain, Israel, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Spain and the Syrian Arab Republic started to purchase Australian wheat in bulk again, WEA reported.

"These countries hadn't purchased wheat in bulk from Australia for up to eight years, and it is encouraging to have these country relationships renewed under the new bulk wheat marketing arrangements."

There are 22 companies accredited to export bulk wheat after export arrangements changed from July 1, 2008, with the first farm-based company, Greentree Farming Exports, accredited earlier in July, it said.