Fertiliser Not Turning Up: Can Your Supplier Walk Away?
Australian farmers are confronting force‑majeure claims from fertiliser suppliers, prompting questions about contract obligations. The Fertiliser Australia Trade Rules provide a standard clause, but actual terms vary, making each contract decisive. Force majeure permits suspension of deliveries only when supply is genuinely impossible, not merely costlier, and obliges suppliers to seek alternative sources and give proper notice. If disruptions persist, the unfulfilled portion may be terminated, leaving farmers to manage timing risks and potential shortages.
Beef Export Update February 2026
Australian beef exports surged to 130,884 tonnes in February 2026, 11 percent higher than a year earlier and 60 percent above the five‑year February average. The United States remained the top buyer, importing 39,949 tonnes – a 14 percent YoY increase and 130 percent above the...
From Toilet Paper to Diesel: Are We Creating the Shortage?
Australia’s diesel imports remain strong, with about 5.8 million tonnes expected by the end of March 2026 – the second‑largest first‑quarter volume on record. Real‑time tanker tracking from LSEG Vessel Explorer captures roughly 90 % of these shipments, confirming that physical supply...
Market Morsel: Making the Most of Wheat Market Volatility
The piece highlights a shift from a tranquil 2025 wheat market to renewed volatility driven by the Middle Eastern conflict. It outlines how weather, geopolitics, trade policy and speculative capital historically cause rapid price swings in grain markets. Seasonal harvest...
Beef Processors Push Hard as Cattle Flow Shifts
Cattle yarding and processing indices rebounded sharply in February 2026 after the typical January lull, but the recovery was uneven across regions. New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania returned to near‑full capacity, while Queensland’s yardings lagged despite a...
Global Cattle Pricing Update
The March 2026 global cattle price review shows the United States firmly ahead, with heavy‑steer values at 761¢/kg live weight. Australia’s prices have surged 30% year‑on‑year to 443¢/kg, while Argentina has climbed to 468¢/kg, now slightly above Australian levels. Brazil remains...
How Exposed Is the Australian Sheepmeat Trade to the Conflict in Iran?
Australian sheepmeat exports to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) represent about $4.3 billion, or 23 % of total export value. Tasmania is the most exposed state, sending roughly 70 % of its sheepmeat to the region, while Victoria and Western Australia...
High Input Costs Don’t Guarantee High Grain Prices
A review of CBOT wheat futures from 1990‑2022 shows that the price at seeding is a weak guide to harvest price, with an average swing of $42 per tonne in either direction. Harvest prices exceeded seeding prices in 20 of...
Market Morsel: Why It’s Important to Understand the True Value of Our Grain.
The article explains that grain basis is the difference between local spot prices and futures contracts, serving as the local market adjustment on top of global pricing. In Australia, wheat basis is measured against CBOT wheat futures in Australian dollars...
US Trade Deal Steals a Fifth of Indonesian Wheat Demand From Australia
Indonesia has signed a memorandum of understanding to import roughly 2 million tonnes of wheat annually from the United States, representing about 17% of its total wheat demand. The deal effectively earmarks a fifth of the market for U.S. exporters, removing...
Iran Conflict Creates Opportunity and Risk for Australian Grain
Escalating conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States has forced the Strait of Hormuz shut, pushing crude oil prices up 8‑10% and reverberating through agricultural markets. Higher energy costs raise nitrogen fertilizer prices and boost biofuel demand, tightening grain...
