Australia: Barley production forecast for 2022 unchanged at 13.6 mln tonnes

As barley harvest wrapped up for crop 2022, the weather cooperated with generally favourable, mostly dry conditions across all barley regions, RMI Analytics said in their latest report.

Production forecast is unchanged at 13.6 mln tonnes with sufficient malt quality in the east and a good surplus in South and Western Australia. The large crop strained grain handlers to get everything into storage during some troubling weather challenges and variability in final quality. Despite the size and range of crop quality, the handling system has performed well. Looking ahead to crop 2023, the forecast drops to 10.88 mln tonnes, the analysts said.

With barley harvest complete, prices are up slightly in a very quiet market following a hectic past two months (harvest). This is the third largest barley crop ever providing supply security as crop 2023 EU spring planting comes into focus.

Trade discussions between China and Australia could eliminate trade impediments, including Australian barley (wine, and other products).