Argentina: Barley crop 2022 estimated at up to 5.8 mln tonnes
RMI Analytics estimate for Argentinas barley crop 2022 calls for a 5.2 mln tonnes output (some local estimates are 5.5 5.8 mln tonnes), which is favourable given the ongoing strong demand from China.
Farmers remain concerned the government may increase the wheat export tax, which could favour barley area. On the other hand, wheat prices are high and will compete for planted area.
Favourable rain has fallen in Argentina, Uruguay, and southern Brazil which addresses any dryness concerns for barley and wheat.
Recent trade activity for 100 thousand tonnes of feed barley has been concluded while farmers remain interested in only selling smaller quantities of feed barley. At USD30/tonne premium for malting barley, the farmer interest remains very low and expectations are for farmers to choose barley varieties purely upon yield potential, a big risk for malting barley supply.