Australia: With harvest now close to over in Australia it is clear that they have a significant improvement in supply compared to last year, HGCA reported on January 12. Latest crop estimates from ABARE suggest a barley crop of 7.74 million tones for 2003/04 (3.7 million tonnes in 2002/03). The planted barley area is estimated to be at 3.8 million hectares in 2003/04 (3.77 million hectares in 2002/03), achieving an average yield of 2.02 tonnes per hectare (0.98 tonnes per hectare in 2002/03).

Australia is expected to see barley exports to increase this season compared to last year’s low level. Exports are forecast to return to 2001/02 level with 5 million tonnes of barley (2.5 million tonnes in 2002/03). Buying interest for Australian grain has been reported from China, amongst others, following its good quality and reliable delivery. Given this season’s low world stocks, the Australian crop should play an important role on world grain markets this year.

16 January, 2004