Hopes are high that a visit tomorrow by a delegation of key Taiwanese wheat importers will result in the opening of a major and influential new market for NSW grain growers.
Grain trading specialist, AgFarm, is hosting seven Taiwanese flour millers on an inspection tour displaying how Australian grain is produced, handled and transported, and how Taiwan’s precise quality standards can be met.
AgFarm managing director, Bob McKay, has been working on this project for more than a year, and will escort the delegation around the Central West on Monday.
"Last year, we worked with the Taiwanese flour mills to send 8000 metric tonnes of high protein wheat as a trial," Mr McKay said.
"And this year we have the delegation, which I hope will result in a request to accumulate an even larger shipment of wheat from our clients for delivery, via containers, to Taiwan early in the New Year.
"Further ahead, if they are pleased with what they see, I'd anticipate we’ll see some further orders."
Taiwan is a premium market, noted for its requirement for consistent deliveries of high quality, high protein wheats.
The USA has historically dominated the market; and as there is now no single desk promoting Australian wheat, AgFarm is aiming to fill the gap to promote wheat grown by its clients around Australia to the potentially large new market in Taiwan.