Russia & Ukraine: Dryness leads to reduced barley crop forecasts in Russia and Ukraine

The Russian government had limited old crop grain sales to 7 mln tonnes. Sales against the quota have reached the limit, but shipments against existing contracts will continue. Nevertheless the absence of new offers for shipments till July 1, 2020, is certainly constructive for export markets, H. M. Gauger GmbH said in its May report.

In large parts of the Ukraine and southern Russia dryness in March/April has reduced crop forecasts. Barley crops are estimated in Ukraine between 8.9 and more recently 7.5 mln tonnes, and in Russia from 19.3 to 18.6 mln tonnes. Export forecasts have been cut accordingly. By April 24 old crop shipments stood at 4.57 mln tonnes from Ukraine (last year 3.38) and 2.96 mln tonnes from Russia (last year 3.60).