World: Barley crop forecast 5 mln tonnes down next season

IGC forecast the world barley crop of 2017/18 at 144 mln tonnes, down from 149 mln last year. Only the EU figure is higher by 1.5 mln tonnes, while the production of all other producers is expected lower, together 6.2 mln tonnes, H. M. Gauger GmbH reported earlier in May.

World trade will be 27 mln tonnes, consumption 146 mln tonnes, both unchanged from last year, the IGC analysts believe.

There is still a large disagreement between analysts, which is due to abnormal weather, but also a changed consumption pattern. H. M. Gauger GmbH analysts said the barley crop may be as low as 140 mln tonnes.