10,000 boost to HGCA export drive

31 July 2001



10,000 boost to HGCA export drive

By FWI staff

THE government has awarded the Home-Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA) up to 10,000 to enable overseas grain buyers to see UK cereals firsthand.

Buyers, millers and bakers from North Africa and Greece and key importing countries of Spain, Italy and Portugal will be invited over for a five-day visit.

Between them, the buyers represent an annual import demand of 18 million tonnes of wheat.

Funding for the trade mission comes from the joint Department of Trade and Industry and Foreign Office trade promotions agency, Trade Partners UK.

HGCA business development manager Alan Almond said he was delighted that Trade Partners UK was willing to sponsor the event.

It means that we can bring together a better mix of end-users from a
wider range of countries, than ever before, he explained.

“Its a great opportunity for key influencers in the UK industry to meet the
visitors and hear firsthand what end users are looking for,”

“It gives the UK industry an opportunity to convince the buyers of the great care the UK takes in ensuring high standards of grain quality, safety and hygiene.”

Delegates, who arrive on 30 September, will meet growers, traders, plant breeders and agronomists and have a chance to take part in HGCA Market Outlook conference.

While the quantity of wheat available for export this year may be limited, it is likely there will unprecedented levels of production next season, said Dr Almond.

Export promotions will therefore be more important than ever, he said.

To support this and other export promotion initiatives HGCA has launched a CD ROM British Cereals with detailed information for overseas buyers.

• More UK wheat to go to North Africa, FWi, 09 February 2001
• Kneading new markets, FWi, 10 June 2000
• HGCA sees chance of exports to Spain, Italy, FWi, 26 July 1999