Australia: Barley exports total 799,530 tonnes in June

Australia exported 799,530 tonnes of barley and 243,394t of sorghum in June, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

For the month, China on 413,340t followed by Japan on 127,983t and Vietnam a distant third on 6328t were the major markets for June-shipped feed barley.

On 208,974t, China was also the biggest market for June-shipped malting barley, followed by Thailand on 23,707t and Vietnam on 3772t.

Likewise, China on 237,838t bought the vast majority of June-shipped sorghum, with Taiwan on 4036t and The Philippines on 1428t being the second and third-biggest markets.

While June sorghum shipments were less than half their May total, and feed barley exports fell 15 percent over the month, malting barley exports surged 29pc.

New-crop sales start
Flexi Grain pool manager Sam Roache said the strong run of barley exports into June were part of Australia’s second-largest barley program on record.

“Strong Chinese demand continues to underpin barley exports, leading to expectations of 600,000t months for both July and August, before a steep drop-off into September as we run to the tightest carry on record,” Mr Roache said.

“New-crop barley demand has begun to fire up, with Chinese buyers active in the last week, and the market trading relatively flat on price from old crop to new crop.”

Mr Roache said Chinese demand has been strong enough to outweigh harvest pressure and selling in Ukraine and Europe.

“WA export sellers are coming to market on the back of a good round of grower selling, driven by the magnificent recent conditions we have seen in many areas.

“The relatively high barley prices versus wheat are drawing the attention of growers despite good barley demand and the likelihood of another historically high export programs and tight balance sheet in the end, contrary to the wheat situation at present.

“China continues to buy the lion’s share across feed and malt, which we expect to continue, and Australia’s robust political standing is very handy in the context of Canadian canola.”

Yesterday, the Chinese Government announced a 75.8pc tariff on Canadian canola, thought to be in response to Canada’s tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

Season improves
Mr Roache said Australia’s barley production outlook has strengthened.

“Great conditions can be seen across WA, parts of South Australia and Victoria, along with northern New South Wales.”

Mr Roache said improving conditions, forecasts for adequate rainfall in spring, and the grower generally being undersold, meant barley’s relatively strong prices will continue to see selling.

Sorghum exports dropped in June, after a very strong May number topped the year.

“Tariffs remain in our favour and, like barley, demand remains strong.

“Prices have been attractive to the grower, as have winter-crop prospects in sorghum areas, which is encouraging selling.

“Sorghum has been well priced to attract selling and exports are running at a good pace to clear the crop.”

Australia’s export volumes are expected to drop off into the back of the year stocks run down.

“Strong demand is forecast for Aussie sorghum with a relatively flat destination price structure expected to run from old crop to new crop.”

Mr Roache said US-China trade issues and Chinese retaliatory tariffs were severely limiting sorghum volume and origin options, and were supporting demand for Australian sorghum.

“Any positive change to US-China tariffs will lower the demand profile for Australian sorghum, but not remove buying entirely.

“Negative news on US-China trade will keep the status quo.

“This issue needs to be closely monitored.”

13 August, 2025