World: Barley markets quite quiet in Europe and Australia, getting very busy in Argentina

EU malting barley prices for crop 2018 continue to slide with lack of clear demand from the malting and brewing industry, GrainCom reported on January 25.

The analysts only noted lots of activities to settle the so called ‘paper positions’ for delivery until March 2019.

Industry has been showing some interest in deliveries for crop 2019, and some business took place in the domestic European market.

In Australia, the market has been mostly quiet with little trading activity. Only one vessel was sold into China for March/April delivery. Nevertheless, legal/diplomatic situation between China and Australia still is not very clear.

In Argentina, the shipment program is getting really busy, which is normal at this time of the year (shortly after the harvest). Prices for feed barley found some support at levels around $ 215 per tonne FOB. Malting barley is mostly undiscussed, sources report.