WEA Report: smooth transition to wheat marketing reform

Wheat Exports Australia (WEA) has released its inaugural Report for Growers, providing growers with information on the operation of the Wheat Export Accreditation Scheme (the Scheme) and an analysis of wheat exports during the 2008/09 marketing year.

Peter Woods, CEO of WEA, said the Report provides growers with a concise overview of what has occurred during the first year of the Scheme. It brings together key research analysis and several case studies regarding Australia’s wheat industry.

“The Report highlights WEA’s operations and is a record of what the Australian wheat industry has achieved in the first year of a newly reformed market,” he said.

“Australia’s wheat export industry has successfully moved from a single exporter to a market where 17 accredited exporters have shipped more than 12.3 million tonnes of bulk wheat during 2008/09.”

Compared to other major exporting nations, Australia was the fifth largest exporter of wheat in 2008/09. The majority of Australian bulk wheat exports are to Asian markets, where Australia enjoys a freight advantage compared to its competitors.

“WEA analysis indicates that eight active accredited exporters shipped 90 per cent of Australia’s bulk wheat exports during the 2008/09 marketing year,” Mr Woods said.

WEA performs a significant role in monitoring exporters to ensure compliance with the Scheme. During the 2008/09 marketing year, accredited exporters demonstrated a high degree of cooperation with WEA and compliance with the conditions of accreditation.

Further information contained in the Report includes accreditations granted by WEA, the port access test, and an analysis of bulk wheat exports by Australian state, port and for non-bulk wheat exports.

The reporting period for the Report for Growers commences on 1 October 2008 and ends on 30 September 2009.

View the Report for Growers

Note: The 2008/09 - Report for Growers is a separate to WEA’s Growers Report 2008 which provides details on the performance of AWBI in managing the 2006/07 and 2007/08 National Pools.

For further information contact Wheat Exports Australia on (02) 6202 3400 or visit www.wea.gov.au.

Further media enquiries contact:

Sophie Drew
Communications
Ph: 02 6202 3400