Huge barley exports predicted

Press, 13 April 1984, Page 27

Huge barley exports predicted

New Zealand’s export barley production could rise to 500,000 tonnes by 1990, according to the South Island Barley Society. The chairman of the society, Mr Graham Robertson, spoke to the Federated Farmers arable exports seminar using a paper pre-

pared by Mr C. M. Gilbert, marketing manager of the society. Some 250,000 tonnes would be available for export from the current harvest, said Mr Robertson. Many farmers were asking if these sorts of tonnages could be marketed

effectively overseas or whether stockpiles were to result. But New Zealand would still have only a small share of the vast international trade in grains and with its ability to grow cereals of good quality, it was well placed to develop new markets.

Malting varieties which are internationally accepted must be grown and the industry in this country must be prepared to take advice from marketing organisations. . Feed barley markets

overseas also responded to a quality product, although during the 1970 s New Zealand had tended to sell for quantity rather than quality, said Mr Robertson. Barley was the main growth area in cereals in New Zealand and provided concentration on marketing could be maintained, export sales of 500,000 tonnes could be expected by 1990. Challenged to be specific about new markets, Mr Robertson said that South America and China had potential for increased sales.