China: China imported 616,000 tonnes of barley in January-March 2005

China imported 616,000 tonnes of barley in January-March this year, a sharp increase over the same period of last year. So far almost all imports came from Australia: 405,000 tonnes, and Canada: 206,000 tonnes, but in the coming months imports from Europe will arrive as well, analysts said.

China is forecast to import much above 2 million tonnes of barley in 2005, however barley imports are thought to be down year-on-year. IGC estimates imports of 1.9 million tonnes in 2004/05 and 2.1 million tonnes in 2005/06.

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