World: Malting barley surplus to exceed deficit in 2017/18 - analysts
According to the latest report of the analysts H. M. Gauger GmbH, the global malting barley surplus may reach 6.1-7.1 mln tonnes in 2017/18, with Australias 3-3.5 mln tonnes and EUs 1.4-1.7 mln tonnes malting barley surplus.
The worlds malting barley deficit is forecast at 5.15-575 mln tonnes, the analysts said, with China remaining the main malting barley importer (up to 3.5 mln tonnes).
The intra-NAFTA traffic is omitted in this balance. Figures can only be vague, however, as Northern Hemisphere crops are still a few months away, the analysts said.
FAQ and germinating feed barley represent a good part of Chinas malting barley procurement.
After a period of tight markets due to Australian and French crop problems last year, supplies are comfortable again, as Australia harvested record quantities of good quality. As of July/August also French winter barley will be back as a major factor in the world market. Spring barley acreages are expected down in the Northern Hemisphere (except UK), supplies could turn out to be on the tight side in the EU and North America, the Gauger analysts said.