EU: Barley crop estimate cut to 59 mln tonnes

Grain industry lobby Coceral on May 21 cut its forecast of this year’s EU barley crop to 59.0 million tonnes from 59.4 million tonnes in March.

Spring barley crop is forecast at 28.7 million tonnes, down from 29.0 million seen in March.

At the same time, Coceral raised its forecast for EU soft wheat in 2019, due to improved weather conditions, and lifted maize output estimates on sharply increased harvest prospects in Romania and Germany.

It pegged the soft wheat harvest at 140.3 million tonnes, up from its previous forecast of 139.8 million made in March.

That compared with a drought-hit 2018, crop of 127.4 million tonnes, data published on Coceral’s website showed.

“After a dry fall in 2018 and a dry period of six weeks in March and April, growing conditions have stabilized recently thanks to rains,” Coceral said.

The projection of EU maize (corn) production was increased to 62.9 million tonnes, from 61.0 million tonnes in March.

E-malt.com, the global information source for the brewing and malting industry professionals. The bi-weekly E-malt.com Newsletters feature latest industry news, statistics in graphs and tables, world barley and malt prices, and other relevant information. Click here to get full access to E-malt.com. If you are a Castle Malting client, you can get free access to E-malt.com website and publications. Contact us for more information at marketing@castlemalting.com .