Canada: Dry and hot weather reduces barley crop potential this year

Dry conditions and hot temperatures across key barley regions in Canada have reduced the previously very good crop potential. The forecast is cooling but also brings with it rain, on crops which are now mature. Canada’s barley crop forecast is adjusted slightly lower, to 9.3 mln tonnes, RMI Analytics said in their August report.

Alberta is expected to have a wider range of proteins from the variable growing season (near perfect early, then hot & dry).
The US crop is OK, despite hotter weather; production is lower to 3.3 mln tonnes, due to lower planted area but some heat stress as well.

After picking up in recent weeks, Canadian barley exports have turned flat as the crop’23 shipping season draws to a conclusion.
Prices for both malting and feed barley are feeling the global pressure and moving lower. Some recent trade to China is being reported, including FAQ volumes, and this appears to be in response to the lower French 6RW crop. Domestic prices are down as feeders are covered, imported corn is cheaper, and farmers face a looming harvest period.

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