CEREAL growers are on the verge of a brave new world as the Chinese market is now open to imports of UK barley.
The Chinese this year are looking to import seven million tonnes of barley and the UK could have as much as 150,000t, worth £20m, available.
All the necessary permissions are now in place to give the UK access to mainland China which is a massive and growing market.
Demand for barley in China has been growing fuelled by a large and fast-growing beer market while domestic production has, at the same time, been in decline.
Market round-up
United Auctions sold 613 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to a top of 242.1p per kg and an average of 209.3p (-6.7p on the week), while 916 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 274p and levelled at 212.2p (-12.9p). One-hundred-and-twenty-eight store, B&W bullocks sold to 149.1p and averaged 141.9p (-3.5p), while 56 store bulls peaked at 237.2p and levelled at 179.7p (no comparison).
In the rough ring 157 beef cows sold to £1230 per head and 187.1p per kg to average 123.7p(+3p), while 5 dairy cows peaked at £745 and 137p to level at 106.8p (+19.5p).
Harrison & Hetherington Ltd sold 3312 gimmers and ewes in St Boswells on Wednesday. Top prices and averages for gimmers: Half Bred to £185 and averaged £164.94 (+£4.74 on the year); Mules £162 and £147.18 (+£6.31); Suffolk crosses £140 and £131.83 (-£6.21); Texel crosses £138 and £118.51 (-£2.61).
C&D Auction Marts Ltd had 14 prime cattle forward in Dumfries on Wednesday when heifers sold to 224p and averaged 201.1p, while bullocks peaked at 225p and levelled at 213.9p.
There were 37 OTM cattle presented in the rough ring when beef cows sold to £1100.25 and 152p to level at 135.7p, while dairy cows peaked at £993.75 and 130p to level at 100.2p.
The firm also sold 1053 prime lambs to a top of £95 per head and 205p per kg to average 182.5p (+5.3p on the week).
A large show of 787 cast sheep saw heavy ewes sell to £115.50 for Texels and average £62.45 (-£1.88), while light ewes peaked at £77.50 for Cheviots and levelled at £41.11 (-£7.60).
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 1194 prime lambs in Newton Stewart on Wednesday to a top of £97 and 210p to average 181.9p (+6.4p).
There were also 736 cast sheep that matched last week's rates with ewes selling to £113 for Texels and £58 for Blackfaces.
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