HGCA encourages dialogue between growers, ‘grain chain’ at spring events

Following the success of its "Meet the Processor" and "Meet the Exporter" events, the UK's Home Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA) is encouraging growers to join them at one of 14 events already planned for spring 2014.
This year's initiative, which is open to participation from all processors, includes visits to three millers, a feed mill, three maltsters and seven exporter sites.
"The overriding aim of the events is to encourage open dialogue and better understanding between growers, processors and exporters," explained Roz Reynolds, HGCA's head of marketing. "At our previous events, the conversations between the hosts and growers have established a greater trust in the supply chain."
Jonathan Tipples, HGCA chairman added: "This will be the third year HGCA has run the events, and as word has spread, more processors and exporters have come forward to take part, offering up their senior staff to meet growers and explain how their operations work."
"These events enable growers to gain a better understanding of why certain technical specifications have to be met - and also how processors manage in years like 2012 when grain quality was relatively poor."
This year, the initiative offers the chance to see modern milling machinery, cereal and seed laboratories, test bakeries, export depots and maltings in action.
To book, visit HGCA's website or contact HGCA's events.
Please note that, due to limited places, the events are for cereals growers only. Places are also on a first come, first served basis, and attendance is at the discretion of individual hosts.
Meet the Processor and Meet the Exporter dates 2014:
Millers

• March 18 - EB Bradshaw & Sons Ltd., Driffield, East Yorkshire
• March 20 - FWP Matthews, Chipping Norton, Oxon
• April 29 - Whitworth Bros Ltd., Wellingborough, Northants
Maltsters

• March 13 - Boortmalt, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk
• April 3 - Molson Coors, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire
• April 10 - Warminster Maltings, Warminster, Wiltshire
Feed Mill

• April 8 - Crediton Milling, Devon
Exporters

• April 30 - Fengrain & Openfield, Kings Lynn, Norfolk
• May 6 - Frontier, Southampton, Hampshire
• May 8 - Glencore Grain, Tilbury, Essex
• May 12 - Openfield, Portbury, Avon
• May 14 - Nidera, Ipswich, Suffolk
• May 15 - Bartholomews, Shoreham, West Sussex
• May 20 - Wessex Grain, Poole, Dorset

EU cereals harvest down in 2012

The 2012 EU cereal harvest is expected to be about 3 percent lower than in 2011 with a usable production of 276.2 million metric tons, according to the European Commission's latest report.
The sharpest drop would be for maize, with the usable production declining by 15.5 percent to 57.5 million metric tons, due to much lower yields caused in particular by the drought in Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria. Also, common wheat usable production is estimated to decline compared to 2011 numbers by 2.4 percent to 125.6 million metric tons, mainly due to lower yields.
On the other hand, barley usable production is expected to increase to 54.4 million metric tons. During the current marketing year, imports are expected to stay below 2011's level, as those from the Black Sea area are considerably curbed. The expected decline of EU pork production, combined with expected high feed prices, is seen to reduce feed demand leading to a lower total domestic demand for cereals. Overall, the combination of a slightly lower crop production and stagnant demand is expected to keep the cereal balance tight, with stocks declining leading to a stock-to-use ratio of 12 percent.
The medium-term prospects for the EU cereals markets are characterized by relatively tight market conditions, low stocks and prices which are above the long-term averages, according to the Commission's report. The EU remains a net exporter of cereals but due to domestic demand growing faster than production this gap narrows. On the demand side, the most dynamic section is the demand for cereals as ethanol feedstock. The demand for food or feed use is stable throughout the baseline horizon. On the production side, a steady growth based on slightly increasing yields is expected.
In terms of single cereals, the concentration on common wheat and maize is expected to continue during the coming decade. The smaller cereals and barley continue to lose their share. Regarding the use and the trade pattern, common wheat and maize are the best examples to describe the EU cereals market. In the case of common wheat the EU is a considerable net exporter and will remain so. The use of common wheat includes a strong food component.