HGCA announced at the beginning of the month that BCE will be hosting a series of events in Spain, Portugal and Morocco over the next month in a bid to help exporters network with millers and buyers in these regions.

HGCA said its visits, dubbed ‘Outward Missions,’ are for countries with strong import demands suited to the quality of UK grain. HGCA said part of its work is to generate interest in UK wheat overseas. However, following a difficult year in the UK, which has resulted in lower yields and quality, the trade mission may prove more difficult than in previous years.

Although the UK wheat harvest is now complete, it will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most difficult in living memory. Severe weather delayed early and late harvest activity and led to problems of disease and sprouting.

HGCA’s final harvest report of the current season shows harvest was delayed by around two weeks for most farmers. Average wheat yields are thought to be 6.8 to 7.2 tonnes per hectare.

The first of HGCA’s Outward Missions, will take place in Madrid on 10th October, followed by a visit to Porto, Portugal on 11th and Casablanca, Morocco on 17th. At these events BCE will liaise with Spanish, Moroccan and Portuguese wheat buyers. Seminars will also be held in Portugal and Morocco and BCE will meet with ONICL, Morroco’s state buying agency.

BCE Chairman, George Forbes, commented, “In a difficult year such as this, it is even more important for the missions to go ahead, as it helps us maintain contacts and relationships with our overseas customers, it's about the long term development of showing them what BCE does and what it can offer in the future."

HGCA said a further trade mission to Algeria is being planned for next month.

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