Australia: Successful start to deregulated barley exports

A grain exporters group says there has been a smooth transition to the deregulation of South Australia's barley export system, according to ABC News, January 21.

It is the first harvest since the single desk for barley was dropped.

Alick Osborne from the Australian Grain Exporters Association says concerns that growers would be left vulnerable have not proven to be true.

"Well I think it's gone very well for the first year. Certainly we're not hearing reports back of any major issues encountered during the settlement of all the contracts that have been taken out," he said

"Growers have been able to access strong world market prices and sell their barley to a variety of different companies, those transactions seem to have been settled and harvest seems to have gone through quite smoothly this year so I think it's been a very good start."

23 January, 2008