GROWERS will need to plant more Group 2 wheats next year if the UK is to maintain its export position.

Graham Sharkey, Grainfarmers' wheat director, suggests that, following the introduction of Cordiale this year, growers now have three good, new varieties to choose from, all of which offer good yields and are easily capable of hitting export specifications.

He said Group 1 and Group 2s accounted for 34pc of the winter wheat plantings in 2003, up 3pc on 2002. With the trend continuing this year, the UK should have an exportable wheat surplus of 3.8m tonnes, compared with a more normal 3.2m tonnes.

"One million tonnes of this will need to go outside the EU," said Mr Sharkey. "While we've achieved this in the past, we do need to ensure the quality specs are right and this is where varieties like Cordiale can play a role.

"All our major competitors into our main export markets grow quality wheats. We will need to compete with the likes of Southern Russia and Ukraine if we are to hold our own in the Spanish, Portuguese and North African markets.

"In future we may need to send more wheat further afield, perhaps into the Chinese market, and be more competitive with the rest of the world."

Mr Sharkey suggested geographic location would play an increasingly important role. He believed growers should ask what their local mill wanted and gear variety selection and management accordingly.

He also warned that new EU working time legislation, which could see transport costs rise by 20pc and increase the need to keep grain as local as possible, would influence varietal choice.

Grainfarmers expect to launch buy-back contracts for Cordiale and other Group 2 varieties this summer