November 8, 2006

US wheat export faces challenges worldwide
 

The US wheat industry continues to face challenges on quality and disease issues in spite of a recent boost from Australia's drought.

A case in point is its wheat export to India. The US has been facing continuous difficulties in meeting India's requirements concerning wheat export. As a result, India has been buying mostly from Australia and the Black Sea region, leaving out the US.

India's phytosanitary regulations concerning covering certain wheat diseases could not be met, pointed out US Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns adding the requirements created an impossible barrier to trade. The USDA has now been working with US wheat associates to reduce the barriers.

Problems seem unending for the US with trouble cropping up almost everywhere including the EU, Japan and lately Kenya.

In fact, sanitary barriers were threatening to become more of a problem for US wheat in some places than tariffs, according to group's Rebecca Coleman.