AWB has increased its estimated pool returns (EPRs) for malting barley by $17-22 a tonne, with feed barley up by $2/t, taking the EPR for Baudin/Gairdner malt to $251 a tonne and Feed 1 barley to $186 a tonne (FOB, excl GST).

AWB General Manager Commodities Mitch Morison said demand for Australian malting barley had firmed substantially.

“Export customers are looking to secure malting barley from Western Australia, amid concerns about the amount of weather damage appearing from recent rains on ripe barley crops in many parts of southern Australia,” Mr Morison said.

“On the feed side, prices are a little firmer from the Black Sea region and Australian prices are supported by the strong, year-round trade of feed barley to Japan, with principal tonnage from South Australia and Western Australia.

“We have long-term wheat customers keen on barley from our pool, as they appreciate our ability to reduce sea freight costs by combining barley and wheat cargoes on the one ship.

“Participants in our barley pool will gain the benefit of the market working in their favour through this method,” Mr Morison said.

AWB’s barley pool is accepting accept F1 & F2 barley in WA & SA, as well as Baudin, Gairdner, Buloke and Vlamingh malt varieties in WA.

New EPRs: F1 $186/t, F2 $176/t, BA1 $251/t, GA1 $251/t, BU1 $241/t, VL1 $241/t (EPRs are FOB, excl GST).

Media Inquiries:  Ian Desborough 03 9209 2335 or 0418 853 881

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