World: All major barley crop exporters expecting smaller crops this year

Barley crops have become constantly smaller over the past decades; they are just specialty (malting) crops in the world outside Australia, Canada, East and Western Europe, H. M. Gauger GmbH reported earlier in August.

This year‘s production results in a tight S/D balance. All major exporters are/will be harvesting what looks to be smaller crops than last year, the forecasts range from minus 3% in Russia to minus 42% in Australia. Carry-over stocks seem much smaller than shown in official statistics. Farmers abstain from selling their crops, expecting better prices after harvest.

Saudi Arabia, the largest feed barley buyer of the world, recently purchased only 0.9 instead of the tendered 1.5 mln tonnes of barley at prices of USD 219 – 213 C&F. Feed barley markets will be firm, but price levels will be aligned to alternative feeders, analysts believe.

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