EU & UK: Wet weather remains the main concern for barley crop across almost all Europe
The weather has remained wet and warm across almost all Europe which is having two kinds of impact on barley. Firstly, seeding of crop 2024 spring barley is well behind normal (actual 39% versus average of 83%). Secondly, the wet conditions are having a negative impact on crop 2024 winter barley at 68% good or excellent versus 92% last year, RMI Analytics said in their March report.
While the EU27+UK barley crop is forecast to increase, there is mounting concern about the lateness of European spring barley (mainly France, and possibly the UK). In addition, the less than perfect winter crop conditions need to be monitored but there is still ample time for winter crop conditions to improve, the RMI experts believe.