E-Malt.com News article: Australia: Malting, feed barley exports up 11% each in February 2026

Australia exported 1,509,584 tonnes of barley and 188,666t of sorghum in February, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

On barley, the feed component totalled 1,137,916t, up 11 percent from the volume shipped in January.

China was once again the biggest market by far, taking 900,174t of the feed total, followed by Saudi Arabia on 98,666t and Vietnam on 38,450t.

Malting barley exports in February totalled 371,668t, up 11pc from the 337,671t shipped in January.

China on 323,505t followed by Vietnam on 35,587t and Japan on 6240t were February’s three biggest malting barley markets.

February sorghum exports increased more than twelve-fold from the January total of 15,072t to reflect new-crop availability thanks to commencement of the southern Queensland harvest.

McDonald Pelz senior broker Sam Roache said barley exports for February set a consecutive record month.

“This number is above shipping stems and sets the tone for more potential record-breaking months in March and April,” Mr Roache said.

“Demand continues in China at today’s season-high prices, with globally price competition remaining limited and Australian prices remains fairly competitive, especially in the germination and FAQ categories.

“China shipments are accounting for more than 80pc of the total, which is improving as Middle East demand drops off with price.

“This is expected to continue into June, before Middle East shipments drop entirely and switch to Northern Hemisphere.”

Mr Roache said Western Australian barley prices are well above its what prices.

“This seems to be the tone for the foreseeable future and, along with fertiliser prices, is a major driver of significant increase in barley area at the expense of wheat.”

“Barley stems show more than 80pc of expected annual shipments out to only May, with more to come on to stems and more new business in the pipeline for May forward.”

“We expect a surprise to the upside on total exports and a complete clean-out of the available stocks.”

Mr Roache said the trade-off will be a higher-than-expected wheat carry-out, owing to export economics.

Along with an uptick in container volume, exports of bulk new-crop sorghum from northern New South Wales and southern Queensland kicked off in February.

“We expect volumes to grow for March and April-May, with solid numbers on the shipping stems already.

“Pace will need to tick higher and recent price escalations are not doing many favours for demand into destination.”

Sorghum is going almost entirely to China, and Mr Roache said only a major political shift looks likely to change that.

“US politics is very supportive of the Australian demand profile, with Trump’s latest tariff threats keeping US cargo-buying aside for the meantime, and giving Argentina and Australia a significant market advantage.”

Mr Roache said conflict involving Iran has had little impact on demand for Australian barley.

“Total demand is lightly suppressed, with Persian Gulf buyers unable to buy.

“Shipping and internal execution costs remain elevated, driven by fuel costs.”


14 April, 2026