February 20, 2012

Saudi Arabia's Argentine barley imports rise fourfold

Saudi Arabia's purchases of Argentina's barley have more than quadrupled in 2011 as importers snapped up more low-priced grain thanks to a plentiful South American crop.

The world's largest barley buyer imported 900 tonnes of Argentine barley from July 2011 to the end of January 2012, up by 337% from the 206 kilo tonnes imported from Argentina from July 2010 to the end of June 2011.   

The country is a major importer of Ukrainian feed barley, buying 3.9 million tonnes in the 2010/2011 marketing season.