Britain raised its forecast on Wednesday for wheat and maize imports in 2013/14 (July/June) to reflect the faster-than-expected pace during the first few months of the season. Wheat imports were expected reach 1.80 million tonnes, up from a previous forecast of 1.63 million, according to official government supply and demand projections prepared by the Home-Grown Cereals Authority.
Imports surged in the early months of this season as millers looked overseas for supplies as Britain harvested its smallest wheat crop in more than a decade. But Britain's 2013 wheat harvest turned out to be much better quality than the previous season so a higher proportion was suitable to be used by millers and imports are now beginning to slow.
"The price competitiveness of imported milling wheat has been a factor, especially in the north of the country," the HGCA said in notes accompanying the data. Britain imported a total of 2.94 million tonnes of wheat in 2012/13 so the latest forecast still represents a 39 percent decline.
A better quality harvest last summer has enabled millers to switch to using more home-grown wheat this season after major quality problems with the 2012 harvest led to a surge in imports in 2012/13. Maize imports were revised up to 2.01 million tonnes from a previous forecast of 1.73 million issued in January to reflect the high level of imports seen for the season so far.
"Further large shipments are expected in February/March with imports forecast to tail off later in the season," the report said. Maize imports in 2012/13 totalled 1.69 million tonnes, so the latest projection represents an increase of 19 percent. Demand for maize in Britain has been boosted by a drop in prices following last year's huge US harvest.
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