MAJOR shifts

in grain prices have emerged as the industry welcomes a new year. Since this time last year, the industry has seen an impressive rally in cereal grain prices and some substantial falls in pulse prices.

Barley prices head the list for the most impressive price rallies.

Malting barley prices are $89 a tonne higher and feed barley has picked up $60 a tonne from this time last year, to $245 a tonne delivered Melbourne this week. Wheat prices open the year $34 a tonne higher for Hard 2 grade and an impressive $43 a tonne higher for Australian General Purpose.

Some easing demand in the subcontinent and recent changes to Indian import tariffs have caused a major realignment of pulse prices. The higher priced desi-type chick peas have fallen $330 a tonne to $650 delivered to Melbourne container packers.