South Australian grain growers are being offered lower cash prices for feed barley, according to a new study by the Australian Grain Exporters Association. The study compares cash prices over three states, and has found that Victorian barley growers are offered more than those in South Australia and WA, ABC.net said on May 5.

Association president Alick Osborne says deregulation of the Victorian and Western Australian markets, has increased cash prices by more than $15 a tonne.

He says it proves SA grain growers are disadvantaged by the single desk marketing system.

"What we've seen is that South Australian cash prices for feed barley are the lowest of the three states that we've looked at.

"The key thing that we believe distinguishes South Australia from the other markets is that there is only one buyer for the exportable surplus for feed barley in that state."

12 May, 2004