China opening its doors to U.S. barley

As part of the “phase one” trade deal signed between China and the United States in January, China agreed to approve a phytosanitary protocol between the countries that would allow U.S. barley to be sold in that nation.

That means U.S. barley can now be exported to China.

As part of the phase one trade deal, China agreed to purchase massive amounts of U.S. agricultural products. Purchasing a significant amount of barley is one way to achieve that commitment, Idaho Barley Commissioner Wes Hubbard said during the IBC’s regular meeting June 11.

“That would be one way for them to do that, to buy some malt barley from the U.S.,” said Hubbard, a North Idaho barley farmer. “Hopefully, we’re going to be able to capitalize on (this development).”

China has already made two recent purchases of U.S. barley and one of them involved some Idaho barley, said IBC Administrator Laura Wilder.

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