In March, China made the biggest barley imports in years. By contrast, sorghum imports fell by 21%. This is also a consequence of the trade dispute with the USA.
China imported 860,000 tons of barley in March; up 22% from March 2017. It is the third largest quantity since 2016. Demand for barley used as feed and malting barley has increased since February after the US is accused of subsidizing sorghum exports.
Compared to March last year, China's sorghum imports fell 21% to 570,000 tonnes; slightly more than in February when 555,713 tons were imported.
Sorghum and barley are both substitutes for corn in Chinese diet mixes; There, pigs are fattened in the first place.
China wants to reduce its huge corn stocks and has therefore cheapened the sale of the intervention warehouses. So, the alternative imports are not that competitive anymore. Some traders also say the worldwide sorghum offer is smaller.
Text: HANSA Derivatives Trading GmbH /
