Australia: Ample time to achieve forecast barley crop of 12.5 mln tonnes, analysts say

Earlier rainfall set up New South Wales and Queensland ahead of crop�25 seeding, but the latest rainfall leaves other regions in Australia needing moisture. However, it is still early and there is ample time to achieve a crop�25 production of 12.5 mln tonnes, RMI Analytics said in their latest report.

Drier conditions and concerns over trade disruptions may favour barley area in crop�25, the industry observers believe.

The early 2025 pace of exports to China has been very strong for feed barley, with malting barley volumes down, illustrating sluggish brewing demand continues in China. After importing a total of around 4.8 mln tonnes of Australian barley in 2024, early indications are a similar or higher volume for 2025.

Prices are up a bit as farmer selling is light, wide currency swings persist and new feed demand also causes some impact.