An Australian barley industry mission to China helped connect Australia’s barley supply chain
with end-users

Technical seminars on Australian barley led to some of the most engaged audiences the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC) has experienced in China.

The seminars in Shanghai and Guangzhou were tailored to the technical needs of Chinese maltsters, brewers and barley traders, and sparked lively and positive discussions.

More than 60 per cent of China’s malting industry attended the Guangzhou seminar alone.

The seminars were part of an Australian barley industry mission to China aimed at connecting Australia’s barley supply chain with end-users, while delivering up-to-date technical support and information.

With investment from the National Foundation for Australia–China Relations (NFACR), AEGIC led a delegation in July 2024 to some of China’s largest cities – Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

The group comprised AEGIC market experts Mary Raynes and Chris Carter, barley grower Simon Tickner, malting barley expert Trevor Perryman, and InterGrain’s David Moody and Seednet’s Simon Crane representing Australia’s barley breeding industry.

The delegation visited industry organisations in Beijing and numerous malting and brewing companies across eastern and southern China. A common sentiment was the Chinese companies’ appreciation of the Australian barley industry’s efforts to strengthen relationships and provide technical support for mutual benefit.

Technical support and information from the Australian barley industry increases the likelihood of companies choosing Australian grain. All participants surveyed in AEGIC’S Australian barley webinars for China in
July 2024 said the engagement increased their willingness to buy or use Australian barley.

China is an important market for Australian barley. Chinese customers choose Australian barley because of its quality and performance for malting and beer brewing, as well as animal feed and the growing distilling industry.

While the China barley market was closed, AEGIC continued to support Chinese customers with information on new varieties, accreditation developments and industry updates to help maintain relationships and prepare for Australian barley to smoothly re-enter the market, should the market reopen. Trade resumed when tariffs were removed in August 2023, and by the end of that year Australia exported nearly three million tonnes of barley worth $1.2 billion to China.

In AEGIC’s conversations with the China Alcoholic Drinks Association and maltsters during the 2024 NFACR-supported mission, this work was recognised and appreciated.

With NFACR’s investment, AEGIC will also host an industry delegation from China to Australia, to showcase the Australian barley supply chain and deliver market briefings to Australian growers aimed at building China literacy and capability, among other activities.

More information: Mary Raynes, mary.raynes@aegic.org.au

AEGIC is an initiative of the Western Australian State Government and Grains Australia. GRDC provides investment to Grains Australia, which in turn invests in AEGIC.