South America: Barley export surplus forecast at around 30 thousand tonnes

According to the latest report by the analysts H. M. Gauger GmbH, Argentina’s barley production this year may reach 3.2 mln tonnes with domestic malting barley demand forecast at 1.1 mln tonnes. The country’s feed barley export could reach 900 thousand tonnes whereas malting barley shipments to countries in Africa and Asia could total 100 thousand tonnes, the industry observers said.

Brazil is forecast to produce 380 thousand tonnes of barley with demand seen at 800 thousand.

In Uruguay, production is forecast at 700 thousand, demand at 450 thousand tonnes.

Chile could only harvest 55 thousand tonnes of barley whereas the nation’s demand is forecast at 155 thousand tonnes.

Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru together will need about 400 thousand tonnes of imported barley, the analysts said.

South America’s barley production is thus seen at 4.335 mln tonnes, import demand at 4.305 mln.

Although estimates cannot be precise yet, the general picture is clear: South America is self-sufficient, but has no major export surplus.

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