Unlocking opportunities: Australian grain and oilseed exports to South and Southeast Asia

South and Southeast Asia’s demand for grain and oilseed imports and the opportunities for Australian exports are influenced by several factors, including demographics, purchasing power, and land use. As the populations and GDP of the regions grow, the demand for wheat and feed grains is expected to increase. Pulses have strong growth potential as well, but their seasonality is influenced by India's harvests and import duties. As South and Southeast Asia shift toward Western diets, Australian grain sales are likely to benefit, as Australia's geographic proximity provides a competitive advantage compared to other major grain exporters. But changes in the global geopolitics are expected to impact trade dynamics, potentially reducing buying power across many Asian countries and affecting Australian farmgate prices. Furthermore, food self-sufficiency is a national priority across both regions, with governments emphasising it through policies that simultaneously boost local production and attempt to regulate food imports. These factors collectively shape the import needs of South and Southeast Asian countries and present opportunities for Australian grain exports.