Australia on track for a record barley crop: making it potentially the largest global malting barley producer!

ABARES’ latest Australian Crop Report, released in the first week of December 2025, is forecasting Australia to produce a winter crop of 66.3mmt, the second highest on record. This is 10% above last season’s production and 35% over the 10 year average of 49.2mmt.

The good news keeps coming: the national barley production is forecast to reach a record 15.6mmt, which is an increase of 18% from last year and an amazing third higher than the 10 year average. The agency advised this reflects a 3% increase in area and a 29% yield improvement over the 10 year average.

Barley production forecasts in all States are higher than ABARES’ September report and higher than the recent estimates for WA from GIWA and SA from PIRSA. With 64% of the crop harvested, there is more confidence around the significant yield improvements that were expected from timely winter and spring rainfall and mild temperatures experienced in Spring.

With such a large crop, Maltsters and Brewers are turning their attention to selection rates. Industry news thus far has mostly above average selection rates being recorded. If this trend continues, Australia will potentially become the largest producer of malting barley globally: with just under 5mmt available and an exportable surplus of 3.7mmt.

The excellent work of Australian Breeders and Growers this century to improve barley genetics and farming systems in the face of climate change, is creating a robust industry the world’s Maltsters and Brewers can sustainably rely on.