Food manufacturers and flour millers in the Philippines have expressed strong interest in Australian soft wheat for cookies and cakes, as demand increases across the region.
AEGIC wheat experts Dr Siem Siah and Dr Ken Quail visited Manila in May to work with major flour and food companies eager to investigate using Australian soft wheat for Philippines-style sweet products.
The companies told us they are interested in diversifying their soft wheat supply, and potentially gain freight advantages compared with the United States, which generally dominates milling wheat exports to the Philippines.
The visit was part of AEGIC’s ongoing work to help establish a new soft wheat industry for Australian growers. This research is supported by Grains Australia, and previous research was supported by the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).
AEGIC will now collaborate with these companies to trial upcoming soft wheat varieties to collect insights on their performance for Philippines products.
While in Manila, Dr Siah and Dr Quail met with the Philippine Association of Flour Millers (PAFMIL). PAFMIL are supportive of Australia’s efforts to increase milling wheat exports to the Philippines, including soft wheat. According to PAFMIL, 20% of milling wheat consumption in the Philippines is for cakes and cookies.
With the popularity of baked products flourishing across Asia, AEGIC research identified an opportunity to revitalise the Australian soft wheat export industry, which has been dormant for some years. AEGIC analysis estimated that soft wheat demand in South East Asia is increasing and could reach more than 3mmt by 2030.
AEGIC began working with growers, breeders and other industry stakeholders to explore the potential to reinvigorate soft wheat in Australia. Responding to AEGIC’s market insights, Australian breeding companies increased their investment into soft wheat breeding. AEGIC supports these breeding programs by working with companies in markets such as Indonesia and the Philippines to ensure new Australian soft wheat varieties meet market requirements.
AEGIC will continue to work with customers in the Philippines and other markets to help pave the way for a new soft wheat market for Australian growers.
AEGIC’s soft wheat project is an investment of Grains Australia and previous research was supported by DPIRD.
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AEGIC eLearning program for Philippines millers
The companies and PAFMIL were also very enthusiastic about AEGIC’s eLearning platform for flour millers and its potential to increase knowledge of wheat processing among their staff.
Developed by AEGIC in partnership with Grains Australia and IA-CEPA Katalis, the online training program was designed to upskill workers and enhance efficiency for flour millers. The training was initially developed for Indonesia’s milling industry and is relevant for all flour millers.
AEGIC will continue to work with customers in the Philippines and other markets to help pave the way for a new soft wheat market for Australian growers.
AEGIC’s soft wheat project is an investment of Grains Australia.
AEGIC is an initiative of the Western Australian State Government and Grains Australia.
