Australia has registered below average rainfalls in its barley regions in April/May. Only 5-10 % of the intended barley acres have been planted to-date. Forecasts are for good rainfalls in first half June. If planting is finished by end June and regular rains occur from then on, a good barley harvest is still possible. The very conservative ABB forecasts no more than 6.0-6.5 million tonnes.

23 June, 2004