Australia: Barley exports down 2% in May

Australia exported 302,334 tonnes of barley in May, down 2 per cent from 309,408 tonnes in April, with bulk shipments to Japan, Kuwait and Thailand bolstering demand in the face of reduced buying from China, according to the latest export data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Australian barley exports for May came in at 390 thousand tonnes, which is marginally higher than April figures.

“Our barley exports are winding down as procurement of volume in Western Australia and South Australia becomes harder and harder as stocks become tight in the back end of the season,” Market Check head of strategy Nick Crundall said.

“We also naturally see a diminishing export program as we progress through the season.”

Japan took the greatest tonnage of any barley export destination in May.

“This volume pales in comparison with China, as it is still four times bigger than the next destination.”