Australia: Malting and feed barley exports up in May

Australia exported 862,783 tonnes of barley and 530,471t of sorghum in May, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Grain Central reported on July 11.

On feed barley, the May total of 727,647t was up 26 percent from 575,838t shipped in April, with China on 652,884t being the biggest market by far.

In second and third place respectively for May-shipped feed barley were Mexico on 33,000t and Peru on 20,604t.

On malting barley, the May total of 135,136t was up 33pc from 101,690t shipped in April, with China on 121,561t, Japan on 9320 and Vietnam on 2202t the three biggest destinations.

May’s total sorghum exports were also up from April, posting a 33pc rise from 397,983t shipped in April.

Well behind China on 483,133t as the major destination for May sorghum shipments were 23,110t to Indonesia and 16001t to Kenya in second and third place.

Flexi Grain pool manager Sam Roache said barley shipments recovered more versus expectations for May, with larger shipments from New South Wales and Victoria pushing overall figures higher.

“China pushed up towards 90pc market share on both malting and feed, with the only other notable shipment being a Mexico and Peru malting vessel that is sitting in the wrong column,” Mr Roache said.

“From here, we expect pretty strong June-July shipments and continuing strong Chinese share of exports, with that demand being the primary driver in the market.”

He said August and September are expected to see a significant slowdown in exports, as stocks run low and drought demand in South Australia, Vic, and southern NSW continues.

“The price action from the domestic drought pinch over June has tested any determination that exporters had left to keep making sales.”

Mr Roache said local markets were showing a significant inversion in prices, with Western Australian new-crop bids pushing lower, reflecting global pricing driven by aggressive EU offers, and Chinese buyers hanging back.

“The drought price spike we saw…seems to be over, and premiums above export parity are leaking out of the market.

“The trajectory of the current-crop market will be difficult to swing back higher with global values under pressure.”

On sorghum, May was the biggest month yet for exports.

“Both Queensland and Newcastle shipped more, with logistics availability improving in both states.”

Mr Roache said Central Qld’s harvest and availability would have peaked in time for June-July shipments, so its export volumes should increase.

On the Newcastle stem, a tail-off in wheat exports, and wheat margins being a little bit tighter than expectations, are expected to make room for sorghum.

“Australia still retains a tariff preference versus US sorghum, and local prices have been encouraging sellers to hit the market over the season.

“Combined with good demand ex China, we expect big export numbers until we see a major tariff or political price driver, or we run out of stocks.

“It is increasingly likely to be the latter as we make our way through exports at a good pace.”