Australia: Weather continues to be favourable across Australia’s key barley regions

Weather continues to be favourable across all of Australia’s key barley regions, with New South Wales remaining a watch-out area as it has received the least amount of moisture, RMI Analytics said earlier in July.

The east coast is to get additional rain over the week, but still northern New South Wales and Queensland are to receive lesser amounts.

At this stage, the overall barley situation is viewed favourably but there is still a long way to go before the crop is assured and there are concerns about the El Nino impact.

RMI Analytics crop 2023 forecast remains slightly above ABARES’ (9.9 mln tonnes) at 10.18 mln which is attributed to the continued good weather conditions but bearing in mind the risk of an El Nino drought impact developing later in the growing season. Long range weather warns of extremely high temperatures and dry conditions from July to September (the El Nino effect).

Australian barley prices are down in alignment with the global price direction. The trade is preparing for Chinese shipments, with some questions surfacing regarding the related phytosanitary process.

Vessel loading has been slowed due to the recent rains. Feed barley transfers to Queensland have begun due to the dryness in Queensland and New South Wales, similar to the drought years of 2018-20.