Canada: Barley crop forecast almost unchanged from last year

The latest Canadian barley S&D balance (STC + AAFC) puts the crop at 10.255 mln tonnes, about unchanged from last year, H. M. Gauger GmbH reported on December 2.

Feed use is forecast at 6.6 mln tonnes, exports at 3.1 mln. Exports till end November are approximately 1.4 mln tonnes - 840,000 tonnes of feed and 575,000 tonnes of malting barley.

Chances for sales, principally to China, are up to 3.5 mln tonnes, however, restricted by shipping slots in Vancouver and the domestic feed demand. First available slots will be for April shipment. Feed lots in Southern Alberta pay USD215 for April/May delivery, which is still cheaper than imported U.S. Yellow Corn. The Chinese hesitated lately to pay CIF prices above USD300 per tonne, but booked a first cargo of new crop feed barley at USD280 CIF.

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