The AWB today revised its estimated returns for its 2011/12 barley pools with feed barley remaining unchanged however malt barley revised down.

AWB’s Jon White said: “Australian malt barley prices have come under pressure as Canadian malt barley is being sold into markets where they have a freight advantage over Australian malt barley.”

“We see this placing price pressure on the value of Australian malt barley sales into key customers throughout Asia,” Mr White said.

“Current feed barley prices are being well supported with strong interest out of the Middle East and China.  However uncertainty remains around Saudi Arabia’s demands for feed barley over the coming months.

“The first six months of 2012 should provide good support for Australian barley prices and farmers who participate in our barley pools should benefit from these future prices.

“Globally the balance sheet for barley remains tight and we anticipate that consumers will turn to Australian barley, at least until Black Sea supplies become available from the middle of 2012,” Mr White said.

Farmers should contact our grain marketers or call AWB’s farmers services centre on 1800 4GRAIN (1800 447 246) regarding their grain marketing.

AWB’s 2011/12 barley estimated pool returns (EPRs) below:

BARLEY: Estimated Pool Return 2011/12 AWB Pools ($/t FOB, excluding GST)
Grade	Western Australia	South Australia	East Coast
BA1	315	-	-
GA1	305	-	295 (Vic only)
HIND	-	-	265 (Vic only)
F1	270	260	255
F2	-	252	240

Media contact: Peter McBride 03 9268 7362 or 0417 662 451

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