Grains Australia highlights opportunities in global grains markets

The 2025 Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Grains Research Update was held in Perth this week, with John Ackerman, General Manager Trade & Market Access at Grains Australia, delivering a keynote speech outlining global grain challenges and opportunities.

Each year, the GRDC Grains Research Update showcases the latest research, technology, market development and innovations to improve the productivity and profitability of the Western Australia grains industry, with 800 attendees registering for the previous year.

This year, in his address Ackerman emphasised the importance of grain and outlined that challenges that will impact global grains markets into the future.

“These challenges include increased nationalism, rising trade barriers and ongoing geopolitical tensions. These issues highlight the critical need for coordinated, industry-driven solutions and the provision of information that can inform appropriate government policy,” he stated.

An initiative of the GRDC, the role of Grains Australia is to bring together critical functions for the grains industry to enhance competitiveness and profitability, with Ackerman bringing more than 30 years’ experience in domestic and international agriculture sectors to the organisation.

Grains Australia is responsible for managing classification, trade and market access, market insights and market education, and in his keynote address, Ackerman highlighted how grain has shaped civilisations, but also how its importance has been underestimated by many urban populations.

“These learnings remain relevant today, and we are living in a time when food is increasingly politicised in global trade and uncertainties are affecting farming on the world stage,” he explains.

“Amidst rising nationalism and protectionism, we are currently seeing vigorous global discourse around tariffs and a rise in ‘non-tariff measures’ [measures other than ordinary tariffs that can impact international trade] – creating uncertainty for growers and consumers.”

Speaking about global grains markets, Ackerman highlighted the opportunity for Australian growers and industry to lead by example. He also emphasised the importance of a coordinated industry approach, and its reliance on government decisions and activities underpinned by increased understanding and involvement in the industry.

“Australia is a significant grain trading nation, exporting a large proportion of its grain production. As well, we have excellent research organisations, and therefore an excellent knowledge base, that can go a long way to assisting some of our partner importing countries.

“We need to strive to improve engagement with our partner countries, to involve growers as collaborators and problem solvers in decision making, to leverage Australia’s agricultural expertise, diversify markets and better communicate Australian practices that meet the expectations of our markets,” Ackerman added.

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