Australian barley and sorghum shipments ease in August
Australia shipped 619,445 tonnes of barley and 220,599 tonnes of sorghum in August, according to ABS data. Feed barley exports fell 27 percent from July to 428,200 tonnes, while malting barley exports were nearly unchanged at 191,245 tonnes. China was the dominant buyer, and a broker said barley shipments are likely to keep slowing as export availability declines and demand remains soft.
August ABS data showed 619,445 tonnes of barley and 220,599 tonnes of sorghum shipped. Feed barley dropped to 428,200 tonnes from July's 583,191, while malting barley held near 191,245 tonnes. China bought 87% of feed barley, 94% of malting barley and 98% of sorghum. Japan and Vietnam followed in barley; Taiwan, the Philippines and Vietnam took minor sorghum volumes.
A broker expects barley exports to keep slowing into November as old-crop availability falls and Chinese demand remains soft, with Black Sea competition noted. A possibly record Australian barley harvest is starting, which could leave more grain stored. Sorghum shipments may also slide as stocks dwindle; northern planting needs rain, while Argentine and Brazilian supply could cap prices.
Slower barley and sorghum shipments could weigh on Australian growers' cash flow, especially if a large harvest meets soft demand and more grain must be stored. Exporters, transporters and storage operators may face shifting schedules, while concentrated buying by China could leave trade exposed to demand changes. Northern sorghum growers may delay planting without rain, affecting local input suppliers and livestock feed users. Consumers may see limited effect unless global feed prices move.