USA & Canada: Barley crops affected by heat and drought, both countries expecting lower production this season

For a long time in June/July and till early August heat and drought affected crops along the border of Canada and the U.S., its centre over the Dakotas, Montana, the south of Saskatchewan and Alberta, H. M. Gauger GmbH said in their August report.

Barley plantings had dropped by 36% in North Dakota and 30% in Montana, 24% in the whole USA. Total plantings were: Canada 2.335 mln ha, the U.S. 0.961 mln.

IGC July forecasts reduced barley crop numbers once more. Carry-over tonnages from last year have now become an appreciated buffer stock, the Gauger analysts said.

According to IGC’s July report, Canada’s barley production in 2017/18 could total 7.4 mln tonnes vs. 8.8 mln in 2016/17, the US 2.8 mln versus 4.36 mln last season, forcing it to increase imports to 300 thousand tonnes from 200 thousand in 2016/17.

Canada’s barley exports are seen down, at 1.3 mln tonnes versus 1.4 mln last year, whereas the US is forecast to export the same 200 thousand tonnes this season.