The Western Australian Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman said Saudi Arabia’s sole wheat importer has changed its tender specifications to allow Australian wheat to be imported into the country.
“In the past, WA wheat has been ineligible for the Saudi market due to specifications for higher protein levels than can be produced here and a zero tolerance to the fungus, ergot,” Redman said.
The news follows the Minister’s visit to Saudi Arabia last year and a reciprocal visit in March to WA by the importer, Grains Silos and Flour Mills Organisation (GSFMO), who toured the WA’s grain production, research and storage facilities.
During the tour, the Department of Agriculture and Food research team showed how Australian wheat was highly suitable for milling and baked goods in Saudi Arabia, including flat breads.
Redman said feedback from the GSFMO indicated the organisation was impressed with the WA grains industry and keen for Australia to become a regular supplier of wheat. WA was already a major supplier of barley to Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia introduced a new groundwater conservation policy in 2008 to reduce annual irrigated wheat production. The kingdom is substituting locally-produced wheat with imports through a tender process to satisfy an estimated annual demand for 2.5 million tonnes.