World: Barley production projected to decline from the 2020/21 record crop

Global barley outlook for 2021/22 is for smaller production from last year’s record, but relatively strong consumption and trade with tightening stocks, USDA said in its May report.

Production is projected to decline to 157.306 mln tonnes from the record 159.738 mln tonnes in 2020/21 as smaller crops for Australia, Russia, Turkey, and the United Kingdom more than offset gains for Argentina, Canada, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine.

Consumption for both feed and non-feed use is expected to fall marginally to 158.786 mln tonnes from 159.782 mln in 2020/21.

Global trade is seen growing to 33.017 mln tonnes from 32.647 in 2020/21 slightly supported by strong imports for China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.

With consumption growth stronger than production, global ending stocks tighten. If realized, ending stocks would be the lowest since 2018/19 (at 20.116 mln tonnes).