Australia: Barley and wheat markets firm as dry north throttles sales

Prices for feed wheat and barley have firmed in the past week as dry conditions in much of north-west New South Wales prevail and the planting window for short-season wheat gets close to its nominal end date. In contrast, showers and storms over Victoria, South Australia and southern NSW are keeping production prospects for establishing crops on track for at least average yields, provided spring is kind. Traders report grower interest in selling is as subdued as export and domestic interest in buying. The exception is sorghum, which is being harvested, delivered and sold at pace in Central Queensland. Table 1: Indicative prices in Australian dollars per tonne. Barley prices delivered to southern Queensland’s Downs region have firmed further this week, despite a considerable volume from as far south as the NSW Riverina now making its way by road into Downs feedlots. “There’s not a lot of white grain on our doorstep, and people are chasing barley in particular for the feedlots,” one ...