After multiple years of drought, Australian farmers are going to harvest an above average crop.

Barley production estimates are in the 11 million tonne range, due to increased area and good precipitation during the growing season.

Matthew Madden is a grain grower and chair of the New South Wales farmers’ grain committee.

He says some farmers have not harvested a reasonable crop since 2016.

He says the drought ended earlier this year and he’s harvesting one of his best crops ever.

The problem for Australia is finding new markets for that big barley crop.

China has slapped large tariffs on Australian barley in retaliation for questioning the Chinese government’s handling of COVID-19 ,as well as the restrictions on democracy in Hong Kong.

China accuses Australia of interfering in its domestic affairs.
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(with files from CJWW)