World Grain - September 2008 - 17

newsreview
Japan may increase wheat prices by 20%
TOKYO, JAPAN - Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries is studying a plan to raise its prices of imported wheat for
sale to domestic milling companies by a maximum of 20% in October,
ministry sources said Aug. 11.
The move by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
reflects sharply higher wheat prices worldwide amid growing food demand, particularly from emerging economies like China and India.
Between December and July, wheat prices hit a record high in international markets. At present, prices charged by the government average 69,000 yen ($628) per tonne.
A price hike by the government will likely further push up the con-

sumer prices of noodles and bread. In light of this, some members of
the ruling political parties are looking with disapproval at the ministry's idea because it is expected to prove unpopular among the public,
considering the price leapt 30% just this April.
The Japanese government purchases all of the wheat grown abroad
before selling it to milling firms. The price includes subsidies to domestic wheat farmers and other costs incurred by the government.
In April 2007, the government linked its wheat sale price to international market prices. The government prices went up 1.3% that
month, followed by a 10% jump in October 2007 and a 30% surge
this April.

U.S. flour production sets record in first half
WASHINGTON D.C., U.S. - Even though flour production by U.S.
mills in the second quarter of 2008 decreased 0.6% from the same
2007 quarter, the January-June 2008 output aggregate still managed
to set a record for those six months. The current quarter, despite the
reduction, also ended up the third largest April-June on record. All
this is according to data issued by the Bureau of the Census of the
U.S. Department of Commerce.
Flour output in January-June 2008 totaled a record 203,456,000
cwts, up 700,000, or 0.3%, from 202,756,000 in the first half of 2007,
which was the third largest. It also was up 0.3% from 202,759,000
cwts in the first half of 2000, the previous high.

However, clouding the outlook for an eventual new output record this year, April-June production totaled 101,838,000 cwts,
down 663,000, or 0.6%, from 102,501,000 a year ago. It still was
the third largest for a second quarter. The record was April-June
1999 at 103,463,000, followed by 2007 at 102,501,000, the current
at 101,838,000 and April-June 2000 at 101,649,000. The year 2000
was one in which many recent records were set.
The April-June decrease from a year earlier ended a remarkable
stretch of 11 successive quarters in which output in each quarter
was above a year back. This was the longest such sequence in recent
memory.

Turn to United Milling
Systems for the original
stone mill and millstone
The millstone is the most essential part of a mill. The quality
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special design of the Engsko artiﬁcial millstones is a result
of practical experience gained during more than 100 years
ears
of production. The stones are produced in sizes from 250
50
mm to 1500 mm and composed of particularly high quality
uality
European stone materials.

/
I

There are many imitations, but only one
original. Look for the Engsko seal of quality,
cast in the rear side of the stone. That is your
guarantee for the original millstone.

UNITED MILLING SYSTEMS
Banemarksvej 50A * DK-2605 Broendby * Denmark
Phone (+45) 70 22 27 11 * Fax (+45) 70 22 27 12
Web: www.ums.dk * E-mail: umsmail@ums.dk
For more information, see Page 94.

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World Grain - September 2008

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