Australia: Barley harvest now virtually complete

Australia’s barley harvest is now virtually complete with a few small pieces to wrap up and expected to achieve a final 13.4 mln tonne crop, RMI Analytics said in their report of late January.

For crop 2022, focus is returning to subsoil moisture levels, which remain good in the east. This is important as seeding into good moisture raises the prospects for a reasonable crop outcome. On the other hand, barley is expected to struggle in maintaining area due to competing crops.

As harvest wraps up, prices for both malting and feed barley have slipped slightly lower as a very large crop reality pressures the market. There is ample barley to meet global needs but export terminal capacity is very limited.

Aussie prices remain the most competitive globally and new markets, including North America, are looking to Australia to meet their needs. To access Australia’s crop 2021, buyers must effectively manage logistics, including export terminal space. New business is likely only possible in Q3 2022.

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