World trade in barley in 2004/05 is forecast by IGC to rise to 15.8 million tonnes versus 15.1 million tonnes last year, mainly because of somewhat increased feed demand in Near East Asia and North Africa and an upturn in malting imports by China. The slight increase from the previous forecast is due largely to higher than expected feed barley imports by Syria, mainly from Ukraine. However, record supplies of feed grains are expected to prevent barley trade from reaching levels achieved in earlier years.