The 'Food versus Fuel' debate will headline this year's HGCA Milling Wheat Conference.

"The Conference will look at the potential impact biofuels are likely to have on the milling wheat market," said Alastair Dickie, HGCA's director of crop marketing. "The debate will offer speakers from two different perspectives - a trade viewpoint and a representative from the Renewable Energy Association. Discussion will include the competitiveness of UK wheat, the economics behind the debate, market drivers and milling wheat availability."

The Conference, held in association with nabim, will take place on 13 February 2007 at the Huntingdon Marriott Hotel in Cambridgeshire.

The opportunities for this year's milling wheat crop and how the UK crop is placed globally will be covered in a presentation focusing on the market outlook.

"The UK milling wheat market has already been affected by a tighter global feed grain balance sheet and the impact of lower stock levels will influence the market moving towards 2007/08. In 2006/07, we have already seen the feed base price react accordingly and we will be examining the prospects for the year ahead," said David Mathias, HGCA Economist, who will be speaking at the Conference.

 "The continuing UK trend away from high-quality wheat plantings, particularly in favour of higher-yielding feed varieties in anticipation of an emerging biofuel demand, will be looked at," said David Mathias. "Wheat plantings and quality developments in both the UK and major world wheat producers will be key to milling wheat premiums in the next 12 months."

The Conference will also feature an update on consumer insights and look at identifying market opportunities for the milling wheat market.

Release date:  26 January 2007

For further information contact:

Marsha Ribeiro, HGCA Crop Marketing Manager, 020 7520 3910 marsha.ribeiro@hgca.com

Madeleine Archer, HGCA Press Officer, 020 7520 3926 madeleine.archer@hgca.com