World: Wheat and barley production variable from fair to good in northern hemisphere

In the northern hemisphere wheat and barley production are variable, from fair to good, in Russia even very good, in Ukraine dramatically small following the Russian invasion and continuing warfare, H. M. Gauger GmbH said in their September report.

The world corn crops will at least be 40 mln tonnes lower than last year, due to very poor results in the northern hemisphere; particularly the EU corn crop has been decimated by record heat and drought. India reports a poor wheat crop; important grain areas in China suffer from a heat wave. In the southern half of the world crop prospects in Australia look perfect; Brazil and Argentina harvested excellent maize and soybean crops.

Negotiations have opened a shipment corridor for Ukrainian grains through the Black Sea, also land and Danube traffic to Western destinations have been much improved, but port capacities are still limited, pre-war exports will not be achieved soon. Russia is harvesting a record wheat crop, but sanctions and shipping problems have reduced their export numbers from last year.

Barley is a neglected item, good crops, but retention by farmers, and a lack of buying interest. The absence of Chinese and Saudi Arabian buyers depresses the market mood and prices. The EU, Russia, Canada, Argentina and Australia compete for the main barley markets in North Africa, the Arab countries and Asia. In the course of the campaign, of course, barley must replace the missing corn in the feed sector.