China: Barley imports forecast to reach 12.5 mln tonnes this year

China’s government policies demand a maximum production of pork, which will necessitate sustained large imports of feeders. There is a preference for a wide variety of grains, DDG and other feeders instead of the former concentration on corn, H. M. Gauger GmbH analysts said in their February report.

Barley imports for 2021/22 are estimated to reach 12.5 mln tonnes (IGC estimate). Imports during the present crop year to-date were 2.55 mln tonnes from Ukraine, 2 mln tonnes from France, 1.65 mln tonnes from Canada. Together with the already licenced shipments of 1.9 mln tonnes from Argentina, the total import book is 8.1 mln tonnes after 7 months of the (European) crop year. Large volumes of Ukrainian and French new crop barley have been booked as well.