eNews from Saturday, August 8, 2009

Egypt Rejects Poor Quality Grains, Provides U.S. Market Advantage

Global Update -- August 6, 2009 -- Earlier this week, Egypt ordered the re-exportation of 45,000 metric tons (1.7 million bushels) of Ukrainian and Australian wheat, claiming it unfit for human consumption. According to Reuters, Egypt previously ordered the re-exportation of more than 100,000 tons (3.7 million bushels) of Russian wheat in June due to poor quality and failure to meet contract terms. Quality standards provide food security within Egypt’s borders, allowing the availability of a more reliable, higher quality product to its consumers.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Beginning in 1992, the U.S. Grains Council has worked with Egyptian officials to help build proper inspection facilities within reasonable proximity of its borders. Chris Corry, USGC senior director of international operations for Rest of the World, said, “We were able to show Egyptian inspectors how the United States analyzes its grain at the borders; a model they use today.”

The Council believes the harmonization of Egypt’s sampling and testing procedures with those of the United States markets the U.S. advantage. “I have heard of several incidences this year where Egypt has rejected shipments of grain, including from Brazil and the Black Sea region, where they have no export standards,” said Corry. “Assisting Egypt with its import standards acts as a mechanism for ensuring the safety of the product it imports while providing a solid market for U.S. grains. It doesn’t get more win-win than that,” he said. Corn imports in June 2009 reached 435,000 tons (17.1 million bushels) compared to 314,000 (13.3 million bushels) imported in June 2008, with an increase of 38 percent. The main competitors for corn imports are: Ukraine at 13 percent; Argentina at 41 percent; and Russia at 5 percent. USGC Director in Egypt Dr. Hussein Soliman said, “Actual and anticipated corn imports from October 2006 to October 2009 indicate corn imports in 2009 will exceed that of 2006, 2007 and 2008 and approach the 2005 level of 4.8 million tons or 1.9 billion bushels.”

Editor's Picks from Recent eNews

Soy Innovation Africa to Engage Business Leaders in Emerging Markets With the Potential of the Soybean

Leading Food Industry Economist Jean Kinsey to Address Soyfoods2010

Genome Sequencing Shows Soybeans to Be Rich in Versatile Gene Families

Commodity Production, Trade and GM/Non-GMO Issues Top eNews Headlines of 2009

New Research Warns Against Overuse of Vitamin E

March 10-11. 2010
Anaheim, California

eNews from Saturday, August 8, 2009

Egypt Rejects Poor Quality Grains, Provides U.S. Market Advantage

Editor's Picks from Recent eNews

Sponsored Links