March 2025 | NEWSLETTER

Grains Australia brings together critical functions for the grains industry to enhance competitiveness and profitability.

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CEO Check In

Welcome to the latest quarterly edition of the Grains Australia newsletter.

I’ve only recently touched down in Australia, having spent the previous couple of weeks in Thailand and China talking with end users and stakeholders in these countries, which are key markets for Australian grain.

For wheat alone, Australia’s annual exports to China equate to up to 6 million tonnes annually in recent years, worth about $3 billion, underscoring the importance of this market.

Please feel free to forward this newsletter to colleagues or friends and as always please make contact to discuss any Grains Australia matters.

Read full CEO CHECK IN

About to sign the MoU are, from front left, Grains Australia CEO Richard Simonaitis, Academy of NAFRA President Tan Bengang and AEGIC Executive General Manager Courtney Draper. Photo: Supplied by Academy of NAFRA.

MOU strengthens collaboration

A newly signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) supports positive collaboration between the Australian and Chinese grains industries, fostering new areas of research that benefit both countries.

Based in South Australia, Lyndon Asser has been a member of GMAC since its inception in 2023.

Council appointment

Lyndon Asser, who is experienced in international grain trading and marketing, has been appointed Chair of Grains Australia’s Grains Market Access Council (GMAC).

Grains Australia thanks outgoing and founding Chair Brett Hosking for his significant contributions and leadership.

We also welcome Cheryl Kalisch Gordon and Anne Wilkins - recent appointments to the Council.

More information about the Council is on our website.

Grains Australia staff members, from left, Senior Manager, Trade and Market Access Peter Breguet, Classification and Technical Officer Pulses Jen Lillecrapp, Project Manager Laura Skipworth and Company Administration and Data Officer Tanya Plain.

Presence at Updates

Grains Australia sponsored two-day Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Grains Research Update events at Adelaide, Perth, Bendigo and Goondiwindi.

This provided good opportunities for Grains Australia staff and Board members to engage with industry and promote industry understanding of our role.

Classification

Cyclops and Neo CL accredited

Grains Australia is pleased to announce that two barley varieties, Cyclops and Neo CL, have been successfully accredited as malting barley.

Malting barley evaluation update

The Grains Australia Malting and Brewing Industry Barley Technical Committee (MBIBTC) convened recently to evaluate new entries and undertake ongoing assessments within the current Malting Barley Classification Program.

Grains Australia Classification and Technical Officer Pulses Jen Lillecrapp.

NVT data interrogated for pulse frameworks

A recent GRDC GroundCover article highlights Grains Australia's use of National Variety Trials data to develop frameworks to classify Australian pulse varieties, which will deliver significant industry benefits.

Trade and market access

General Manager Trade and Market Access John Ackerman. Photo: GRDC/Lumens Photography.

Keynote address outlines grain challenges

Grains Australia’s John Ackerman delivered a keynote address at Western Australia’s biggest grain event, emphasising the international importance of grain and outlining challenges that will impact global grains markets into the future.

Presence at AGIC Asia

Grains Australia was a Partner of the 2025 Australian Grain Industry Conference (AGIC) Asia in Bangkok and Shanghai, with technical support from AEGIC, and participated in Government and industry meetings on either side of the events.

AGIC Asia is hosted by Grain Trade Australia (GTA).

Global pulse event

Held in New Delhi, Pulse Conclave 2025 was attended by Grains Australia Pulse Council Chair Peter Wilson, Grains Australia Senior Manager, Trade and Market Access Peter Breguet and a group of self-funded Australian growers keen to learn more about the Indian market.

While in New Delhi the delegation met with government officials and took the opportunity to visit pulse outlets including the wholesale market Naya Bazar ... Read more

Market insights and market education

Translation of online mill training to Mandarin

During AGIC Asia in Shanghai, AEGIC launched the eLearning platform for Chinese flour millers.

With investment from Grains Australia, the existing eLearning flour milling platform for Indonesia’s milling industry was adapted to the Chinese market by translating it into Mandarin.

The original eLearning platform for Indonesia was delivered through the Indonesia Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) Katalis, facilitated by Grains Australia.

Other news and resources

Australian malting barley publication

Did you know Australia produces on average 12.8 million tonnes of barley across 4.5 million hectares, with 30-40 per cent malting barley and the remainder used for stock feed, food or human consumption?

These facts and more are contained in 'Australian malting barley for China's needs', produced with support from AEGIC, to coincide with AGIC Asia.

View the brochure

Australian crop performance brochure

A snapshot of Australian crop production for 2024-25 is contained in a publication produced ahead of AGIC Asia.

'Australian Grain Crop Performance 2024-25' was produced with support from GTA and AEGIC.

View the brochure