Minister for Agriculture, Tony Burke, has signed off on more than $180,000 under the first round of the Wheat Export Technical Market Support Grants.

The nine exporters to share in the funding include five companies who will be exporting wheat for the first time.

The companies are based in NSW, Victoria and Queensland and will receive up to $60,000 each.

"Supporting these exporters will underpin jobs in the wheat industry and help to cushion the impact of the global recession on regional Australia," Mr Burke said.

"The export proposals showcase the innovation which is emerging under the new export system and the range of opportunities now available to growers and exporters.

"Projects will target niche marketing opportunities in new and existing markets, using measures including quality assurance, paddock-to-plate traceability and organic grain certification.

"These projects will help to build long-term export relationships with customers across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa."

The Wheat Export Technical Market Support Grants are part of the Government’s $9.37 million transitional assistance package to help the Australian wheat industry make the transition to the new system.

Under the three-year program, up to $200,000 is available each year to help wheat exporters deliver effective technical market support to international customers.

The recipients are:

* Walgett Special One Co-operative Ltd (grower co-operative, NSW) - $60,000;

* Global Grain Australia Pty Ltd (grain exporter, Victoria) - $11,500;

* Greentree Farming (grain grower, NSW) - $32,000;

* OzEpulse Pty Ltd (grain exporter, NSW) - $22,500;

* GRAINassist (agricultural broker, Victoria) - $17,500;

* PentAG Commodities Ltd (grain marketer, Queensland) - $8850;

* Boongalla Organics Australia (grain grower, Queensland) - $17,000;

* Agfarm Pty Ltd (grain marketer, NSW) - $10,600; and

* TH Cooper and Co (grain grower, NSW) - $3450.