The Barley export marketing arrangements in South Australia have changed following several years of debate and reviews. The Barley Exporting Bill 2007  was passed on 27 March 2007. These new arrangements mean that the bulk export barley trade will now be operating in a more contestable market in South Australia, rather than under the former Single Desk arrangement.

For many, it will simply mean business as usual. South Australian growers are assured that the former single desk holder, ABB Grain Limited, will continue to operate and offer a range of pool and cash based options just as it has done for many years both as a publicly listed company and as the Australian Barley Board.

What changes is growers will now have greater choice of grain marketers able to access the barley export market once accredited by ESCOSA, allowing a greater range of prices, pool and cash options and service options.

A series of workshops are being arranged jointly by PIRSA and the South Australian Farmers Federation (SAFF) in regional centres in recognised barley growing areas of South Australia. These workshops will provide information about the new marketing system from a range of quality independent presenters. Barley growers will be able to ask questions of the speakers about the new barley export marketing arrangements.
It is also anticipated that barley grain traders planning to export barley (and have been accredited by ESCOSA) will also be available at the workshops to talk to farmers about their barley marketing requirements.

There will be a sessions held in;
o Naracoorte Town Hall on Tuesday 18th September 2007 from 12noon to 4pm.
o Karoonda Football Club Wednesday 19th September 2007, 11am to 3pm.
The meetings will have two sessions. The first will cover the intent and operation of the Barley Exporting Act 2007, how the Essential Services Commission’s licensing system works and a discussion on business management in the transition to a deregulated market. The second session will enable barley exporters to meet with growers and discuss the products and services they have on offer. For more information, please visit http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/grains/exporting_barley or call your local PIRSA/ Rural Solutions SA office.

AUTHOR: Tarnya Brooksby, Project Consultant, Rural Solutions SA

CONTACT: Tarnya Brooksby, Rural Solutions SA Keith Office, Telephone 8755 3166, Email brooksby.tarnya@saugov.sa.gov.au