Australia's wheat supply chains: infrastructure issues and implications

In 2012-13, Australia exported 18.6 million tonnes of wheat with a value of around $6.3 billion, or around 16 per cent of the total value of rural exports. Previous ABARES analysis has identified wheat as one commodity where Australian producers may benefit from a significant increase in demand. \r\n\r\n This study provides a detailed analysis of the wheat supply chains of the two biggest wheat producing states, Western Australia and New South Wales, with a focus on: \r\n• providing a snapshot of the existing wheat supply chains in these states, including estimates of supply chain costs \r\n• identifying current infrastructure impediments affecting the movement of wheat from farm to port \r\n• illustrating the potential impacts of increasing wheat production and rationalising the rail network on the shares of wheat transported by road and rail and the spatial pattern of road and rail use. \r\n ABARES is also undertaking other detailed assessments of the role of economic infrastructure in the supply chains of other major export commodities including beef and high value airfreight products. \r\n