Experiences of wheat growers in Australia’s western Wimmera following deregulation of the export wheat market

Abstract

In 2008, the statutory marketing powers held by the Australian Wheat Board were dismantled, with the decision by the Federal Government to deregulate the export wheat market. This article snowball sampled 22 small-to-medium sized wheat growers in Victoria’s western Wimmera to qualitatively research how they perceived this policy affected their operations. Although deregulation was intended to create a competitive market, wheat growers felt the level of competition in their region, specifically, at local receival sites, was minimal and referred to instances where they had lost money from selling to grain traders who became insolvent, owing significant sums of money which substantially affected growers’ wheat marketing. Additionally, participants felt they lacked power in the open market, which was counter-posed by the power, and occasionally predatory behaviour, of some grain traders, and contributed to feelings of insecurity.

Keywords:

• agricultural policy
• competition
• deregulation
• neoliberalism
• wheat farmers

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank two anonymous reviewers, Dr Liam Magee for providing assistance with research development and the study participants for volunteering their time and insights.