Recent engagement with China has confirmed the China market considers Australian grain a quality product and that there is a willingness to continue two-way collaboration.
John Ackerman, Grains Australia’s General Manager Trade and Market Access, visited Beijing and Xiamen in September with Grain Trade Australia (GTA) Chief Executive Officer Pat O’Shannassy.
“We received feedback during discussions with industry and government representatives that the Australian grain industry is well received and that Australia’s comprehensive grain quality standards, quality assurance process and approach to delivering grain are recognised,” Dr Ackerman said.
“There appears to be positive sentiment and optimism for the future, as well as interest in the continued exchange of information, improved technical collaboration and increased visits between the two countries.”
While in China, Dr Ackerman and Mr O’Shannassy attended a wheat conference in Xiamen organised by China’s COFCO International.
COFCO is one of China’s largest and most prominent grain and food companies, plays a significant role in China’s food security and is a major buyer of Australian wheat. China has been Australia’s largest wheat market in recent years.
Mr O’Shannassy was invited to present to the conference on Australia’s market outlook, quality assurance, trading standards and industry framework.
“Australia’s industry-driven self-regulatory framework – focused on the facilitation of trade through grain trading standards, trade rules and grain contracts – provides all importing countries, including China, with confidence and surety in the grain they purchase,” Mr O’Shannassy said.
“Aligned to the Australian farmer’s production capability, this is why trading partners can maintain confidence in Australian wheat, while gaining value for their businesses.”
Dr Ackerman said at the conference it was also good to hear interest in the Australian Grains Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC) eLearning platform which aims to develop the skills of flour mill employees.
“The online training has already been developed for the Indonesian market in partnership with Grains Australia and IA-CEPA Katalis, and with Grains Australia investment, there are plans to translate the course materials into Mandarin,” Dr Ackerman said.
Following the Beijing and Xiamen visit, Dr Ackerman attended the Macau Pulses Congress together with Grains Australia Pulse Council Chair Peter Wilson.
The Macau congress brought together representatives of the global pulse industry and was hosted by the Global Pulse Confederation (GPC) and the China Chamber of Commerce of I/E of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-products (CFNA).
“This kind of market engagement is crucial if we are to continue understanding the requirements of our key pulse markets and customers,” Dr Ackerman said.
Caption: GTA CEO Pat O’Shannassy presents to a wheat conference in Xiamen organised by Chinese grain and food company COFCO International.
About Grains Australia
Grains Australia delivers value to the Australian grains industry through the provision of industry services and functions including management of trade and market access, classification, market insights and market education that improves the industry’s competitiveness and profitability.
Grains Australia is an initiative of the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC). GRDC leads investment in grains research, development and extension (RD&E) in Australia to create enduring profitability for grain growers.
A partnership between the Australian Government and grain growers, GRDC’s primary objective is to drive the discovery, development and delivery of world-class innovation to enhance the productivity, profitability and sustainability of Australian grain growers and benefit the industry and the wider community.
About Grain Trade Australia
Grain Trade Australia (GTA) is a national association and is the focal point for the commercial grains industry within Australia. The role of GTA is to provide a framework (including the Australian Grain Industry Code of Practice) across industry to facilitate and promote the trade of grain. GTA members are responsible for more than 95 per cent of all grain storage and freight movements made each year in Australia. More than 95 per cent of the grain contracts executed in Australia each year refer to GTA Grain Trading Standards and Trade Rules.
GTA Members are drawn from all sectors of the grain value chain from production to domestic end users and exporters. GTA has more than 290 organisations as members. Their businesses range from regional family businesses to large national and international trading/storage and handling companies which are involved in grain trading activities, grain storage, processing grain for human consumption and stock feed milling.