EU & UK: Barley picture dominated by rain in Europe

Rain (and more rain) continues to dominate the European barley picture. The impact of the wet 2024 growing season is illustrated by poorer crop ratings, like UK winter barley at 11% Very Poor or Poor, versus 3-4% normally. France has been similarly impacted and initial 6RW harvest results are confirming the impact of weather - yields below average, higher protein due to lower yields, but test-weight and sizing ok, RMI Analytics said in their latest report.

Overall, RMI’s EU27+UK barley crop forecast at 58.7 mln tonnes is down 0.3 mln tonnes, due to disappointing yields.

French winter barley harvest is advancing amidst rain interruptions and is estimated at approaching 80% complete. Spring barley (autumn and spring sown) harvest will advance very soon after winter barley, and the prospects look better for yield and quality. As similar result is expected from the UK and Denmark/Sweden, which if realized, would deliver a much needed rebound in malting barley supply in western Europe.