Australia: Barley growers expecting break in the weather to proceed with planting

Rainy conditions continue to prevail across Australia. The main area of concern is New South Wales and southern Queensland where persistent wet conditions have left large blocks unplanted, RMI Analytics reported earlier this month.

A break in the weather is expected and necessary or the planting window closes without some land seeded. Barley area may benefit, if planting is allowed to proceed.

Australia’s barley production forecast remains at 10.8 mln tonnes, but his is becoming more variable, with Western Australia, South Australia, and Victoria looking very good while New South Wales and southern Queensland struggle to get barley seeded.

Prices are down in alignment with world markets and overall quite positive crop prospects developing. Even with wet conditions in New South Wales, confidence for another sizeable crop is high. However, farmer willingness to sell at the moment is limited, making liquidity a constraint for the time being.

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