WA grain growers are hopeful China could start buying their barley for the first time in three years next month without the Australian Government resuming its trade dispute at the World Trade Organisation.
Grain Producers Australia chairman Barry Large said while other export markets had purchased Australian barley during the past two years, and trade for other important grains had continued with China, growers would welcome the return of the barley China market which was worth about $916 million in 2018-19.
He said the re-opening of Australian barley exports to China would be a win for consumers, China’s industry and for Australian grain producers and exporters.
“Barley is an important rotation crop for Australian growers and any optimism on the future outlook is good.
“This process to reach a resolution would be significantly shorter than if the WTO process continued.
“We welcome the Labor Government’s constructive dialogue and positive progress towards stabilising the relationship with China, and creating this process and opportunity to recommence the barley trade.”