Australia: Malting barley prices in Australia underwent significant gains after December rains damaged an already drought-stressed crop, according to IGC report from January 27. Port Adelaide cash prices rose by nearly A$30 ($22), before easing slightly over the past month to finish at A$197 ($153). ABB Ltd. raised its Grade 1 pool indicators by a total of A$18 in two December revisions (to $A200-$A210 ($155-$163)), with officials noting slow export demand as buyers awaited better indications of harvest quality. EU quotations weakened marginally, by about 3. In France, Scarlett spring variety ended at 116 basis July, delivered Rouen ($162 fob, down $7). Danish Barke variety also eased recently on competition from internal EU supplies, quoted at around 133 fob. On 18 January, Russia extended its import ban on plant products (including malting barley) from several EU countries, to also include Denmark.