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Israeli millers learn about U.S. wheat marketing systemMill owners and managers from Israel were in the United States in late September to get reacquainted with the U.S. wheat marketing chain. During their 10-day tour in the United States, the six Israelis were accompanied by Goris van Lit, Assistant Regional Director, U.S. Wheat Associates, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The group arrived in Kansas Sept. 23, and was hosted by the Kansas Wheat Commission. "The milling industry in Israel is furthering progress in the last couple years," Jackob Polturak, vice president for operation and marketing with Tachanot Israelioth Ltd., Flour Mill in Tel Aviv, Israel said. "It's a very tough industry. The competition is very, very high." To discuss technical and commercial import issues, the team visited the Kansas City Board of Trade and discussed world and U.S. supply and demand with Louis Dreyfus Corporation. Louis Dreyfus currently has a supply contract with the Israeli importer Yevulite, who is responsible for the bulk of the milling wheat imports. All of the mills represented on the trade team are members of the wheat import company. These mills can import wheat themselves, and the majority of their demand is for Hard Red Winter wheat. While wheat imports into Israel have increased over the past six years, the majority of this is due to the fact that feed wheat imports are increasing, replacing U.S. corn and sorghum. Most of the export competition comes from the Black Sea region. "Traditionally we used to purchase the wheat from the United States, almost all of the wheat. Over the last five years, more and more there is European wheat, especially because of the prices," Polturak said. "I must admit that the Russian wheat is poorest during this year, concerning quality. And because of the high competition in Israel, we must bring some European wheat." Polturak continued, "The last three years, the quality was very good, very stable. Of course this year, we are starting to face some changes because of the weather - because of what happened during the winter, but generally the quality is very good, no complaints." The team also toured the Federal Grain Inspection Service Tech Center in Kansas City before heading to Manhattan. The following day, the team toured the Grain Marketing Lab at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Grain Marketing and Production Research Center, the Hal Ross Flour Mill, and International Grains Program. KSU Wheat Breeder Allan Fritz provided the group with a briefing on Hard Red Winter and Hard White wheat breeding programs. Mark Fowler led a discussion about the quality this year's crop. After visiting the American Institute of Baking, the team departed Manhattan for Nebraska. "I hope to learn, and I learned already about how the trading is going on here," Polturak said. "What is the influence? What is the influence of other countries influencing the price of wheat? I am also learning a lot about qualities of wheat and breeding and to see how much effort United States and Kansas are doing to improve quality and service of the wheat and they are very, very open to complaints and to improvements of quality and supplying of the product. For us, it's very important. I hope to be here again." While in the United States, the team also toured an elevator, farm, railroad and bakery in Nebraska, the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration lab in New Orleans, La., and a flour mill and farm in Ohio. Date: 10/4/07
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