Japanese have yen for WA noodle wheat

Another successful noodle wheat technical workshop at the Department of Agriculture and Food recently strengthened trade relations with the Japanese Government and the noodle flour milling industry.

Representatives from Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Flour Millers' Association were reassured of the WA grains industry's commitment to ongoing high-quality noodle wheat supply to Japan.

Delegates tasted noodles made from WA wheat varieties in the department's grain products laboratories, visited local growers to discuss noodle wheat production and met with industry and trade specialists.

The annual industry workshop was established from the delegates' 2010 Perth visit to ensure there was consistent supply of noodle wheat to Japan in light of production trends, seasonal and harvest conditions.

Department Grains Industry Genetic and Product Innovation director Robert Loughman said it was a valuable opportunity for many parties across the WA wheat supply chain to meet the Japanese representatives and better understand their noodle manufacturing, quality requirements and future import needs.

"The Japanese millers reinforced the importance of high and consistent quality, supply stability and food safety to Japanese manufacturers and consumers," Dr Loughman said.

"We work closely with Australian wheat breeding companies and Japanese flour milling representatives to understand the market suitability of current and emerging WA wheat varieties for noodle production."

Most WA wheat exported to Japan consists of a defined blend of Australian Noodle Wheat (ANW) with Australian Premium White (APW) type hard wheat.

This noodle wheat blend is used for udon noodle production, however, the department is also researching the potential supply of other WA hard wheat types suitable for ramen noodles.

"The $500 million Japanese noodle market is one of WA's major markets and as such it is important our wheat industry seeks feedback and looks to continually meet the quality and supply requirements for the noodle wheat blend supplied to Japan," Dr Loughman said.

"In recent seasons this market has experienced tighter supply and positive feedback was received from everyone involved in the workshop with Japanese and Australian representatives keen to promote stable ongoing supply of high quality WA.