Australia: Both malting and feed barley exports decline in July

Australia exported 771,683 tonnes of barley and 310,968t of sorghum in July, according to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data.

Feed barley exports totaled 583,191t, down 5 percent from the 614,668t shipped in June, with China on 505,767t accounting for 87pc of the total.

On 65,149t, Japan was the second-biggest market for feed barley, followed by Vietnam on 5178t.

Malting barley exports on 188,492t were down 22pc from 242,065t shipped in June.

China on 101,150t accounted for 54pc of malting barley exports, with Vietnam on 33,866t the second-biggest malting market, followed by Japan 20,858t.

Bucking the trend, sorghum exports rose 36pc to reflect volume available out of Central Queensland, where harvest is considerably later than in the other major producing areas of southern Queensland and northern New South Wales.

China on 308,628t accounted for nearly all of the sorghum shipped in July, with Taiwan on 1713t and The Philippines on 525t the only other destinations to take more than 100t.

McDonald Pelz senior broker Sam Roache said July barley exports dropping over the month reflect the fact that stocks are starting to run low.

“We continue to expect a record export program for the season, basis similar monthly exports through June to August before another sharp drop in September,” Mr Roache said.

“October and early November exports are expected to be very low, as stocks have run to an absolute minimum and high prices have dramatically slowed the demand profile.”

Mr Roache said Chinese demand has recently fallen away from its early season levels, thanks to higher barley prices, and sorghum imported from Brazil taking up space in the rations.

“Market reports indicate limited sales are on for new crop Australian barley, which is a contrast to the past few years.

“There is demand today, but it seems at current prices we are not going to see the high-range type of demand we will need to clear tonnage.”

Mr Roache said crop prospects are looking very good in Western and South Australia, Victoria, and southern New South Wales, and have improved with recent rain.

“We will see a lot of barley pushed into storage as wheat is preferenced on to the export stem for the first time in a few years.”

Australia’s sorghum exports in July recovered to reflect volume sourced from the Central Queensland harvest.

“August shipments will see reasonable volumes,before a sharp drop in September, attributable to available stocks and also softening demand, in a similar theme to barley.

“Brazilian sorghum has fast become a major competitor for Aussie sorghum and we expect volumes to grow significantly in the next few years now that both buyer and seller have a base to work on.”

09 September, 2026