Australian delegation gets to know barley production in Brazil

A group representing the Australian government and genetic improvement companies, through the Grains Australia consortium, was at Embrapa Trigo, in Passo Fundo (RS), to exchange information about barley production. The meeting paves the way for germplasm exchange between Brazil and Australia.

In recent years, Australia has been the 2nd largest producer of barley in the world, with approximately 14 million tons/year. A large part of the production is destined for the international market, where Australia is the world's largest exporter of barley. Even with the 26% drop in production this harvest, falling from 2nd to 3rd producer in the world, Australia must still harvest 10,5 million tons of barley and depends on the international market to guarantee the liquidity of the grains

Prospecting new markets was what motivated the Australian group to come to Brazil. In the world, the main destination for barley is animal feed (65% of production), and Brazil is the second largest producer in the world and the first largest exporter of beef, it is the third largest producer of poultry and the first largest exporter and It is the fourth largest producer and exporter of pork. 

“Brazilian production has always been focused on the malt industry, yet Brazilian crops only supply 45% of demand”, recalls Embrapa Trigo researcher Aloisio Vilarinho, highlighting that the use of barley as a preserved food for cattle and in the feed industry, including the development of specific cultivars for this purpose.

“In addition to learning about the work of Brazilian research on barley genetic improvement, we came to share experiences involving bringing together experts from both countries and prospecting future partnerships”, says Mary Raynes, marketing director at the Australian grain export center (AEGIC).

For the head of research and development at Embrapa Trigo, Mércio Strieder, the meeting should result in future results in the exchange of germplasm and exchange of knowledge between research and development institutions in the two countries. “Australia uses a business model where public research relies on greater investment from the private sector to achieve better results in agriculture. An example to be sought by Embrapa to continue moving forward”, concludes the researcher.