Australia exported 8.2 million tons of barley in the 2024/25 MY and plans to increase supplies in the new season

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), in the 2024/25 MY, Australia exported 2.5 million tonnes of sorghum and 8.23 million tonnes of barley, of which 7 million tonnes were feed and 1.22 million tonnes were malt, with China purchasing over 70% of both types of barley.

In September, 273.9 thousand tonnes of feed barley and 35.7 thousand tonnes of malting barley were exported. According to Compass Grain director Sam Roach, the reduction in exports in September is due to low stock levels, rather than a drop in demand, which remains strong across the board.

According to ABARES estimates, in the 2024/25 MY the country harvested 14.55 million tons of barley, which provided the third largest export volume in the country's history. Analysts expect that in the 2025/26 MY, thanks to the restoration of the sown area and favorable weather conditions, the harvest could exceed 16 million tons, opening the opportunity for record exports.

China also bought more than 94% of Australia's sorghum exports in the 2024/25 MY. Japan, Kenya and Taiwan were also among the largest buyers. Experts believe that strong demand for sorghum and barley from China and the Middle East remains a key factor supporting Australian exports.

The quality of the harvest in the 2024/25 MY is assessed as high: good yield indicators were obtained in Western Australia and the northern regions of New South Wales and Queensland, which allows planning stable supplies to both the domestic and export markets in the 2025/26 MY.

The resumption of active barley exports from Australia in December-January will increase competition on the world market and may reduce barley prices in Ukraine.