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The UK wheat export brands

The ukp and uks export brands have helped to establish and maintain export markets for UK milling wheat. Research showed that overseas buyers found the UK’s wheat classification system confusing as new varieties are constantly being developed.

The brands make it easy for overseas customers to choose milling wheat for bread or biscuits at the specification they require without having to have detailed knowledge of individual varieties. They are now well-known in the UK’s key markets and demand is strong, particularly for uks.

They were developed in conjunction with industry to complement the existing nabim groups and are clearly marked in HGCA’s Recommended List so growers are able to see which varieties may be suitable for the export market, providing the required specification is met.

Typical export specifications

ukp uks
>Specific Weight 76 kg/hl (min) 75 kg/hl (min)
Moisture content* 15% (max) 15% (max)
Ad mix 2% (max) 2% (max)
Hagberg Falling Number (HFN) 250 (min) 220 (min)
Protein 11-13% 10.5-11.5%<</td>

* Some overseas markets, particularly in North Africa, prefer a lower moisture content, often less than 14%. Growers should consider aiming for a lower moisture when growing and marketing their grain for export.

BCE maintains the brands by carrying out quality testing on new varieties alongside the testing carried out for the Recommended List. The testing involved the Chopin Alveograph test which gives an indication of end-use potential and is commonly used by overseas buyers, the W and P/L values being of most importance. Varieties which are shown to consistently meet this specification are approved in the brands. For more information on the Chopin Alveograph test click here.

What the growers say

“Choosing ukp and uks export branded varieties means that, with very little effort, I can increase my marketing opportunities and ensure more people are on the phone trying to buy my wheat, maximising potential prices. There is always demand for UK wheat overseas and the more wheat we grow of export quality the more opportunity we have to boost prices overall.”
Andrew Barr, Grower, Kent

What the customers say

“I use UK wheat in our mill and I believe it can offer us something different. The benefits are that we can blend them and use them for different markets so it is a versatile option for us. We are using ukp in the mill where I work and technically I know it works.”
Paulo Cardoso, Portuguese Miller

“We know UK wheat very well and use uks in our biscuit flour. The biscuit market is increasing in Morocco. For the bread flour the quality, characteristics, elasticity and protein content of ukp are what we require in our mill.”
Rachid Chamcham, Moroccan Miller

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