Day 6 - Qatar - Colin Nicholl and Tim O Meehan.

We had a sleep in today .......only left hotel at 6am !    Another flight ....thankfully only 40 minutes to Doha airport. 

On the agenda today was meetings with Qatar Flour Mills and Hassad Food.  Both companies were located in Doha.  

Qatar is a relatively small country with  population of 1.9million.   

Key Observations Qatar Flour Mills

- QFM keen to build long last term relationships. 

- As a flour miller they seek consistency of quality and supply.  Acknowledged this is one of the qualities of Australian grain. 

-  Food Security is a consideration and they also hold 6 months of stocks for Qatar Government. 

- The 2022 World Cup means they will move location and in doing so build a much larger port, mill and storage.   Current site is to be used for football stadiums for the Wolrd Cup. 

- the 

-  They lead the market in Qatar and surrounding countries with high quality flours. 

- The Qatar market is made up of subsidised and non subsidised flour.   They procure for both segments on behalf of the Qatar Government. As it is a government tender it means they are bound by the lowest price that meets the minimum tender specification ie cannot pay a dollar more for a better quality.  Believes they could do even better if they were allowed to make the procurment decision solely.  

Key Observations Hassad Foods

-  expanded very quickly in 5 years 

- represent the Qatar Govt. Sovereign Wealth Fund.  

- interested in long term commercial ties with Australia farmers.  

- prefer grain whole not pelletised. 

- strong supporters of CBH 

- preference was to use grain grown in WA thru the CBH system. 

- they are involved in the development and building of the new port.

- as part of their risk management and food security strategy they will have access to the 300,000mt storage been built at the new port.  

- preference is for lighter colour barley which Australlia provides .  This is linked to their end users / Bedouin farmers who buys based on colour.  The lighter the better for their animals. 

The West Australian Trade Office, Dubai is a valuable asset for CBH and the grain growers of Western  Australia. It was evident through Pankaj's contacts, relationships and the support for our visit.  Thank you.  

Day 6 - PM Pics

Day 6 - AM Pics.

Day 5 The Oman Escapade

Up in the dark again and took a flight to muscat, the capital city of Oman. It was an uneventful 50 minute flight. We landed and took a mini bus to the Oman flour mill. At the mills, we had a very robust discussion with head miller on quality of western Australian wheat. The feedback was mixed but useful. The presentation was made to the millers with a big photo of Australia and Australian wheat field. 

We did a quick tour the souk (old market), with many bargains made - hats included. This was followed by a lovely lunch with the staff of the Omani mill. 

As the sun slowly started to set over desert sands, we flew back to Dubai to host a dinner with WA Trade Office Dubai - toasts and appreciation was made to Pankaj and Deepti, and the staff. 

We had the opportunity to wear the traditional Arab head gear - see the photos attached to this eventful day! 

An early night for an early morning tomorrow! 

Photo's Day 5

Day 4 Dubai

The morning started with a visit to the Dubai port to meet with a grain trader and mill manager from IFFCO. This was a frank and open discussion about grain quality and trade around the world, the key points being

Quality of wheat from Black Sea region improving including management of insects low moisture and protein

Improving storage and handling from the Black Sea including there ability to segregate making it more attractive

Stagnate quality of the Australian crop

Distance to market and carry costs on this time Australia is 35 days Black Sea 15 India 3 days.

In the afternoon we headed to the dessert for some dune bashing followed by camel rides and belly dancing.

Day 4 Dubai

Meeting with IFFCO at Dubai port

John presenting gifts to IFFCO

John, Alex and Rodney getting ready for the day ahead

Observation from Day 3 - Kevin Fuchsbichler and Kristin Lefroy

Day 3 started with a breakfast meeting with the Australian Consul General and Senior Trade Commissioner for the Middle East who was invited by West Australian Trade Office. 

Next was a 290km drive into the desert in three beefed up cars. Comments on the road: " this is an interesting 2.5 lane highway".  "Lots of spare parts here fellas for Mercedes trucks".   "Did he say petrol is 8 cents a litre!" .  "Where are all the camels". 

Arrived safe and well at our destination in a surprisingly short period of time .....

Facts on the farm:

- 75kms long by 5kms wide.   Pivot irrigated and lots of them.

- water about 80m below surface.  Pumping for forty years and level not dropping.

- wheat is yielding 7 mt / ha in rotation with Alfalfa (Lucerne) and Rhodes grass.

- 65,000 Holstein milking cows making it one of the largest dairy farms in the world. 

- milk production is 1.5 million litres per day!  Processed on farm into a range of products including milk, cheese, yoghurt.   Other products produced include fruit juices.   

Key learnings from today:

- NADEC have a huge demand for raw materials including grains, hay, fruits.

- reducing their wheat production as the 2016 deadline approaches. 

- interested in partnerships and investments overseas. 

- hospitality of Saudi people is incredible.   We were made to feel very welcome .....like Saudi princes. 

- investment of USD1 billion per year for last 5 years into their infrastructure and expansion.  

 

Photos from Day 3 - NADEC Dairy Farm

NADEC Farm located 300kms from Riyadh.  One of the largest diary farms in the world 

A tour of the farm and facilities in a comfortable bus. 

A very warm welcome for our growers including Australian flag and red carpet...... Mick Daw 

currently getting carpet quotes for our Esperance office.....

Lunch at NADEC Farms 

To conclude the tour of the NADEC farm and processing facilities we had just enough time for a farwell Arabic coffee with our host Eng. Abdulaziz M Al. Babtain - Managing Director of NADEC.   Ahead of us 3 hour drive to Riyadh airport.   Next stop Dubai.  Another fantastic day of learning and friendship. 

......did Gordon get ejected from the VIP room ? 

NADEC's  range of retail diary and juice products sold around the Gulf region.