Australia: South Australian grain handler and exporter ABB Grain believes "enhancements" to its barley export monopoly are needed but has rejected any move to partially deregulate exports as has happened in WA, West Australian Newspapers commented on February 26.

Speaking after the company's annual meeting, ABB managing director Michael Iwaniw said the controversial WA model, which allows a Grain Licensing Authority to issue special export permits to traders outside the single-desk export system, was flawed and failed to add value for growers.

"When you look at all the licences which have been granted in WA, they are usually going to markets where grain is already being supplied by either ABB or the Grain Pool so you are not really adding value, you are competing," he said.

"With this sort of system you have someone picking you off at the edges but as the holder of the single desk, you still have to be the receiver of last resort."

ABB Grain holds the monopoly over export barley from South Australia while in WA Grain Pool holds that right. The two companies operate an export partnership which last year accounted for 90 per cent of Australia's barley exports.

ABB Grain also gave its first profit forecast for 2005 - saying it expected a net profit before goodwill of between $35 million to $37 million after weaker than expected crop yields.

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