Australia
October 2024

Growing demand for Australian barley and malt from Central and Latin America is presenting opportunities to further diversify markets for Australian barley growers.

A new project will gather information on the preferred barley quality and functional properties of these markets, in order to inform Australian barley breeding and market engagement strategies.

The project is being delivered by the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC) through investment from Grains Australia, and will be initiated when AEGIC personnel meet with customers in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Brazil and Chile during November.

Grains Australia, an initiative of the Grains Research and Development Corporation, is responsible for vital industry services and functions that improve the industry’s competitiveness and profitability. The new project was endorsed by its Barley Council, which provides strategic advice to the Grains Australia Board.

AEGIC’s Markets Manager – Lead, Mary Raynes, and Barley and Oat Quality Program Manager Jack King are travelling to Central and Latin America with support from Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) Agricultural Counsellors, Central and South America.

Ms Raynes said the visits would build on AEGIC market engagement conducted in Central and Latin America in 2023 – which was supported by the Australian Government’s Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation program through Grains Australia.

“This major project will give the Australian barley industry access to objective intelligence on these markets’ preferred malting barley quality attributes,” she said.

“These insights will enable Australian breeding companies and Grains Australia to make more informed decisions around breeding and classification of Australian barley varieties, and will assist Australian trade representatives when engaging with these markets.

“Ultimately, the project aims to position Australian barley as the preferred choice in the region and diversify markets for Australian barley growers.”

AEGIC is an initiative of the Western Australian State Government and Grains Australia.

Published: November 8, 2024