Peter Woods, CEO of WEA, said the report provided 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’s 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.

The Report is available for download from WEA’s website, www.wea.gov.au