Shipment consolidates Saudi wheat trade, Redman

Author: Terry Redman
Published on: 14-November-2011

A shipment of Western Australian wheat destined for Saudi Arabia has confirmed the establishment of a new market for the State’s grain growers.

Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman today witnessed loading of the first shipment at Kwinana under a new supply contract by CBH Group stemming from the recently reopened market.

“In 2010, the WA grain industry, through the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA), made a significant breakthrough in its bid to export wheat to Saudi Arabia,” Mr Redman said.

Saudi Arabia’s sole wheat importer has changed its tender specification and now allows Australian wheat to be imported into the kingdom.

A landmark shipment of 55,000 tonnes of wheat was sent from Esperance port to Saudi Arabia last year, followed by this successful bid by CBH Group to supply three wheat consignments of milling grade.

The Minister said the State Government was committed to driving the sustainability and profitability of the agrifood sector across the supply chain.

“Today’s loading shows clearly that department work targeted along the supply chain has yielded a significant economic opportunity for WA’s grain industry,” he said.

“The Middle East is an increasingly important region for WA exports.”