Sorghum pours into a GrainCorp bunker in CQ. Photo: GrainCorp

AUSTRALIA exported 678,382 tonnes of barley and 463,220t of sorghum in April, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Feed accounted for 576,692t of the barley total, and was down 8 percent from the March figure of 623,805t.

China on 330,254t was the destination for 57pc of April-shipped feed barley, with Japan on 116,535t and Saudia Arabia on 66,000t the second and third-biggest markets respectively.

April-shipped malting barley totalled 101,690t, down 51pc from the March figure, and had only three destinations: China on 65,359t, Mexico on 33,000t, and Vietnam on 3331t.

Sorghum exports rose 146pc from the March total of 188,285t to reflect peak new-crop availability.

On 445,133t, China accounted for 96pc of sorghum shipped in April, with Kenya on 14,003t the second-biggest market, and The Philippines on 2172t the third.

Flexi Grain pool manager Sam Roache said less availability and a momentary slump in demand from China have made May the lowest shipment month since December.

“The combination of good comparative prices to corn and other feedgrains, a lack of Chinese buying, and limited Black Sea availability saw Middle Eastern buyers stand up for around 100,000t, or 15pc of exports, which is relatively high,” Mr Roache said.

“Likewise Japan had a big month, further testament to attractive prices versus other feedgrains.

“In the malting space, Mexico continued to be a consistent buyer and kudos should go to those that have developed and held on to these strong customers.”

Mr Roache said barley exports were expected to trend lower as stocks run down before “hitting the wall in August”.

“We are looking to be 85pc done on exports by the end of May, and stems that are going to be over-allocated.

“Carry-out will be another record low.”

On the domestic front, Mr Roache said south-eastern Australia’s drought market kicked in last month.

“Aggressive covering came from those caught short, and drove markets up A$20-40/t in a short sharp rally.

“The fodder and fibre shortage continues, but the widespread rain has taken the pressure off demand and we do note more seller engagement in the market.

“Barley prices in many zones remain are well above export parity as we approach the pressure of the Black Sea and EU harvests on markets.

Mr Roache said the up-country premium over export values was highest in southern NSW and Victoria.

“Local prices are inverted by $10-20/t in the east anywhere south of the Dubbo line and across SA and WA as the market.

“There are some compelling sell signals in the market today.”

As expected, April was a monster month for sorghum exports, more than doubling the March total, and quadruple what went in February.

“The drivers are obvious, with strong demand present, harvest pace increasing, and growers happy to sell into excellent market conditions with logistics freeing up.

“The US trade piece has been heavily in our favour on sorghum and US-China trade progress will do us no favours from a demand standpoint.”

Mr Roache said May and June sorghum shipments were expected to be big, with demand remaining strong and Central Queensland availability adding to the liquidity and logistics piece.

“Everything is pointed to export channels, and we will see some big sorghum shipment numbers through mid year, ending with a tight carry-out stocks position.”

Table 1: Australian February, March and April 2025 feed barley exports. Source: ABS

Table 2: Australian February, March and April 2025 malting barley exports. Source: ABS

Table 3: Australian February, March and April 2025 sorghum exports. Source: ABS

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