Every harvest, on behalf of the WA noodle wheat supply chain and with the cooperation of CBH Operations, the GIWA Wheat Council receives and reviews regularly updated data on the volume and quality of noodle (ANW & APWN) deliveries as harvest proceeds. In late January or February when harvest is over, with representatives from Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and the Japan Flour Millers’ Association (JFMA) travel to Perth to meet with the GIWA Wheat Council to review and discuss the harvest data and agree on the blend and protein specifications for ASWJ noodle wheat shipments to Japan for the 2025 shipping year. Critical to these discussions are the knowledge of the growers, traders, plant breeders, CBH Operations and AEGIC representatives on the GIWA Wheat Council.
With the 2024 season resulting in a low protein harvest and with noodle wheat supply tight, the Japanese requested a change to the ANW/APWN blend ratio for 2025 shipping in order to optimise protein for Udon noodle manufacture. This was discussed and deemed achievable, and that change has now been formally agreed and will take affect with February 2025 tenders. An Industry Advice Notice detailing the changes can be found here.
