EU: Denmark expected to plant largest malting barley area, overall S/D balance looks tight

Denmark is expected to plant the largest area to malting barley in the EU this year � 550 thousand ha, followed by France with 524 thousand, and Germany with 346, H. M. Gauger GmbH reported earlier in May.

The acreages are based on latest estimates, the most surprising one comes from France, the analyst said.

Special import demand from Poland, Central Europe, and Spain looks likely on basis of smaller spring barley acreages and a difficult growing season. The first forecasts of the Spanish barley crop range from 8.5 to 9.2 mln tonnes vs. 12.3 mln last year.

As much of the French surplus will flow to China, the S/D balance looks frightening tight. Relief can come from a larger selection of Danish malting barley and from larger usage of winter barley everywhere in the EU. Most EU farmers abstain from selling their barley crops yet.