Australia: Barely production estimated lower by analysts

August and September rainfalls throughout Australia have been so low that all winter crops deteriorated substantially. Abare’s barley crop production estimate 2006/07 of September 13 is of
5,840,000 tonnes versus 9,869,000 tonnes in 2005/06

Meantime drought, high temperatures and hot winds have done further damage, private sources speak of a barley crop below 5 million tonnes. For comparison, the AWB has published an estimate of the wheat crop of 13.2 million tonnes, compared to ABARE's figure of 16.4 million tonnes.

Feed barley values at the east coast are well above the equivalent of US$ 200,- FOB, and farmers are cutting their poorly looking barley fields for hay. It is feared that the selection of malting barley will be smaller and quality lower than average.

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