Australia: Barley crop 2024 estimate sharply up to 13 mln tonnes

Australia’s barley crop’24 level has risen sharply to 13.0 mln tonnes, driven mainly by ABARES estimate at 13.3 mln tonnes, led by a record 6 mln tonness from Western Australia, RMI Analytics said in their latest report.

For moisture conditions ahead of crop’25 seeding, there has been little improvement, except in parts of Western Australia and eastern Victoria.

Presuming steady planted area, and a return to average yields in all regions, barley crop’25 at 12.3 mln tonnes is attainable, with the expectation Western Australia does not repeat a record crop and South Australia and Victoria yields bounce back to normal.
Australian barley exports finished 2024 strongly with a strong demand pull from China, where 75% of 2024 barley exports were sent.

The Feed & FAQ to Malt1 split was 64% to 36%. The larger Western Australia crop’24 would allow for a continued strong export pace (if demand persists), the analysts said.