United Kingdom: UK barley crop estimated at 8.36 mln tonnes this year

DEFRA/AHDB estimate UK’s barley crop 2020 at 8.36 (last year 8.05) mln tonnes, H. M. Gauger GmbH reported earlier in December.

Feed use is seen at 4.9 (last year 4.15) mln tonnes, sharply up due to large supplies and a favourable price relation with other feeders.

Usage by brewers, maltsters and distillers is forecast at 400,000 tonnes after 470,000 in 2019/20, as beer sales are down (whisky, however, is less affected).

The trade associations forecast a surplus of 2.2 mln tonnes for the crop year, the unknown final Brexit terms make a split-up between exports and carry-over impossible yet. However, the UK always needs a minimum operating carry-over of 800,000 tonnes, the Gauger analysts said.

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