== Big harvest on cards ==
According to the International Grain Council’s latest market report, the 2008/09 harvest is expected to be another bumper year for global wheat production, with estimates of 688m/t. However, over the next three months, the weather will be crucial in determining the quality of the wheat.
== CSM sales hit ==
Netherlands-based CSM, which owns BakeMark UK, saw bakery supplies volumes down 3.8% in the first quarter of 2009, compared with Q1 2008, with "the more luxury pastry items particularly affected". Sales in its Bakery Supplies Europe division stood at E249.2m compared to E264.6m in the comparable 2008 period.
== ABF’s good growth ==
Allied Bakeries saw "good growth in branded volumes" as well as an improvement in profit, according to its interim results. Yeast and bakery ingredients also made good progress, said the firm. However operating profit within ABF’s grocery business fell to £62m from £88m last year.
== Lotus blossoms ==
Belgium-based Lotus Bakeries has successfully completed its takeover of Corona-Lotus Inc (USA), which is now a 100% subsidiary of the Lotus Bakeries Group. Corona-Lotus was founded as a joint venture between The Gourmet Center and Lotus Bakeries.
== Iran’s wheat surge ==
According to The Financial Times, Iran has become the world’s largest importer of wheat, with the US Department of Agriculture forecasting Iran will buy 8.5m/t of wheat in the 2008-09 crop year. The surge in imports was largely due to droughts, forcing Iran to import wheat from the US for the first time in 26 years.
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