crop management publications for use on farm, reports and updates from HGCA’s extensive programme of research, variety information from Recommended List trials, regularly updated grain and oilseed markets news and prices, information on exports of UK-grown cereals, information on HGCA’s investment on behalf of the cereals and oilseeds industry and what you can do to get involved. "/> HGCA : Export activity

Export activity

Investment

HGCA invests in export market development activities delivered through its BCE team.

BCE works to generate demand for cereals in overseas markets in order to ensure that exports of any overproduction in the UK prevent oversupply of the domestic market. This helps to sustain internal prices for cereals relative to world prices.

In turn, BCE is also responsible for ensuring that the UK industry can provide a quality product required by overseas markets. By growing what the market requires, producers increase their opportunity to receive a premium and maximise returns.

Strategy

To achieve these objectives, BCE:

  • Provides independent information to overseas buyers through a range of events and communications
  • Works with overseas governments and embassies to open and develop markets in other countries
  • Works with exporters to maximise opportunities for the trade of UK cereals
  • Provides trade information to overseas buyers to enhance the marketing of UK grains
  • Develops, maintains and promotes the wheat export brands ukp anduks in consultation with industry
  • Analyses new wheat varieties to ascertain their suitability for overseas markets
  • Raises the awareness of the export market as an option for growers to consider to maximise returns
  • Increases the understanding and awareness of opportunities for cereals outside the UK and provides support for businesses to access them

The work of BCE is guided by an HGCA Advisory Committee – the BCE Committee – made up of growers and exporters. Further details can be found here.

BCE Activities

Bread baking workshop

The Bread Baking Workshop is an annual event which sees overseas buyers from different markets come together to bake their national breads using ukpand uks flour. This hands-on event gives buyers the opportunity to learn how to use UK wheat more effectively in their market.

bbw screen shot

Inward Missions

Inward missions give buyers the opportunity to experience the UK grain chain first hand and allow them to ask questions directly to growers, plant breeders and traders. A typical programme would involve a visit to a farm, a central store, an intake laboratory and a port, with other industry experts invited to speak to delegates.

Outward Missions

Each year, BCE organises a number of visits to overseas markets. These trade missions have the key objective of informing overseas buyers of the availability in terms of both quantity and quality of UK cereals for the current season. UK traders are invited to join these missions, creating an ideal opportunity to do business. The missions typically take the form of a seminar with contacts from the country’s milling industry invited to hear papers on the current UK situation. BCE encourages two-way communication in order to learn more about overseas market requirements. Where appropriate, BCE endeavours to meet with overseas governments and embassies to open and develop markets and address any barriers to trade.

Events and Exhibitions

BCE attends a number of key industry events both in the UK and overseas to raise the awareness of the export brands and the export market.