EU: Malting barley prices up in the UK and Scandinavia this week

According to the latest report by GrainCom, EU prices for malting barley increased this week, especially in the UK and Scandinavia in crop 2016.

Crop 2017 remained more or less stable but didn’t really move up. It seems that some purchases still have to be made in the current crop, but the offer side basis today looks rather empty.

Same picture in France, where winter as well as spring barley is still searched but offers are lacking, it is reported.

Looking at crop 2017, the price levels seem interesting as prices are cheaper than carrying over the current crop (which in terms of availability and also quality-wise will be difficult anyhow). Values for French winter malting barley slightly dropped. With the increase of wheat futures and consequently rising feed barley values the malting premium decreased and it seems less interesting to sell today.