AWB Closes First 2004-05 Pool

SYDNEY - Jan 10/05 - SNS -- The Australian wheat marketing board, AWB Limited has closed the 2004-05 Number 1 National Pool for several port zones in New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia.

The 2004-05 Number 1 National Pool is now closed in the port zones of Newcastle in NSW, Wallaroo, Port Pirie and Thevenard in SA, and Geraldton in WA. AWB has previously closed the Pool for Queensland port zones.

With harvest complete in those port zones and their Guaranteed Access Dates all expiring on January 5, AWB has closed the Pool in order to protect value for participants in the current marketing environment.

AWB has opened a Number 2 Pool for the following grades - APH, AH, AUH, APW, ASW, AGP, APDR and AGDR. In addition, AWB is opening a Number 2 Pool for ASWN, APN and ASF1 in WA, AUW in SA and HPS in NSW. All EPRs for the Number 2 National Pool are currently at a $15 per metrci ton (MT) discount of those of the Number 1 Pool. This means APW is $182 MT, while APH is $201.50 and APDR is $207 MT.

AWB reminds growers that Guaranteed Access Dates in other states are also approaching. After this time, the Number 1 National Pool may close for deliveries without further notice.

It is important for growers to transfer their wheat quickly from warehousing into the AWB National Pool, as it helps the movement of grain and assists in obtaining important quality information for AWB’s international marketing program.

            AWB Guaranteed Access Dates

State              Port Zone         Guaranteed Access Date
New South Wales    Port Kembla         12/01/2005
South Australia    Port Adelaide       25/01/2005
                   Port Giles          19/01/2005
                   Port Lincoln        12/01/2005

Western Australia  Fremantle           12/01/2005
                   Esperance           25/01/2005
                   Albany              25/01/2005

Victoria           Geelong             19/01/2005
                   Portland            25/01/2005
                   Melbourne           19/01/2005