But he believes growers will not see the full benefit until issues with South Australia's supply chain are addressed.

There was 18.5 million tonnes of wheat exported last year, according to Wheat Exports Australia, compared with 19.1mt in 1996-7 - the Australian record.

Bulk exports rose significantly year-on-year, from 12.1mt in 2009-10 to 16.3mt in 2010-11.

One of the major facts of interest for growers was the number of exporters and buyers.

There were 19 active exporters, moving grain to a whopping 182 bulk buyers and 464 containerised buyers.

These numbers are up markedly in the past three years, with container buyers rising 15pc since 2008-9.

The majority of bulk wheat exports again went to Asia with exports to the region increasing by 37 per cent from 2009-10.

Exports to Africa, including the major market of Sudan, increased by 49pc, while the healing process following the oil-for-food scandal appears to be working, with the first sales of wheat to Iraq since the Volcker report came out, a highlight of an increase in exports to the Middle East of 21pc.

Although the single desk is gone, key exporters have emerged, with seven major companies moving more than 1mt for the export year.

Of the 16.3mt of bulk wheat exported during 2010-11, 8.5mt (52pc) was shipped to five countries: Indonesia, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan and Iraq.

Mr Schaefer said those figures showed the deregulated market was working.

"The fact we've got all these people participating is a great thing, but what we need is more competition in the supply chain," he said.

"We need to try and get those costs in the supply chain to be as competitive as possible.

"We're not getting the full benefits of deregulation because of supply chain issues."

Mr Schaefer said the grains committee welcomed the news that Mallee growers were setting up competitive storage at Tailem Bend.

"But at the end of the day, we need competition at the port," he said.

* More in SJ's Jan 5 edition