USDA: Russia�s barley exports are to decline in 2005/2006

Russia’s feed barley exports in the 2005/2006 marketing year (October/September) are expected to drop to 800,000 metric tonnes from 1 million metric tonnes in 2004/2005, according to the first forecast by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The USDA expects Russia's barley exports to continue to fall due to declining production. Russia’s 2004/2005 barley exports are at the lowest level for the last five years.

A drop in barley exports from Ukraine also expected. The USDA puts the country's exports at 3.8 MMT in 2005/2006, compared with around 4 MMT this season. Barley exports from Ukraine and Russia are projected to drop by a combined 400KMT on account of smaller crop prospects.