![Vic push to expand niche grain opportunities Vic push to expand niche grain opportunities](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-agfeed/811161.jpg/r0_0_300_400_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
IDENTIFYING new opportunities in the containerised wheat market following deregulation, Victorian producers and exporters recently embarked on a trade envoy to south-east Asia to boost relationships with end users across the region.
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The envoy, led by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI), was supported by Austrade and toured Vietnam, the Phillippines and Thailand to engage directly with potential buyers of Victorian wheat.
Bangkok-based DPI market development manager Bryan Balmer said the idea behind the tour was to get the Victorian industry to engage directly with potential export customers and discuss market requirements, along with learning more about local customs and building business relationships.
“Deregulation of the wheat industry and the loss of the single desk has resulted in smaller grain traders and grower cooperatives looking to market their grain directly into international markets,” Mr Balmer said.
“Indonesia and Thailand were significant wheat export markets for Victoria in 2008/09. Many buyers formerly procured grain exclusively from AWB and are now actively looking for new suppliers.
“The large food manufacturing sectors in these countries and close proximity to Australia make the region ideally suited to further market expansion.”
The Victorian contingent met with grain importers, distributors and millers while also calling on local mills and food manufacturing operations.
“This trade mission was critical in developing export relationships and links with overseas grain importers,” Mr Balmer said.
“DPI has established networks with many of these customers and was ideally placed to introduce Victorian grain suppliers to this market.
“The South-east Asian market is very different from our domestic markets and the knowledge and understanding of the local business culture and the specific market needs gained during this trip will be invaluable.”