Australia: Barley exports set to slow significantly in May, experts believe

Australia’s barley exports are set to slow significantly by May as stocks in New South Wales and Victoria tighten, UkrAgroConsult reported on May 20.

According to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the country exported 838.79 thousand tonnes of barley in March, including 206.25 thousand tonnes of malting barley (more than double the volume shipped the previous month) and 632.55 thousand tonnes of feed barley (-29%).

The main destinations for malting barley were China – 152.27 thousand tonnes, Vietnam – 25.48 thousand tonnes and Peru – 22 thousand tonnes.

As for feed barley, China was the main buyer – 561.9 thousand tonnes, while Saudi Arabia bought 55.73 thousand tonnes and Vietnam 3.27 thousand tonnes.

Australia’s barley exports are set to slow significantly by May due to declining stocks in New South Wales and Victoria, according to Flexi Grain. However, strong Chinese demand will help the country meet its export targets and bring ending stocks back close to record lows.