UK: 2022/23 UK barley exports to the EU totalled 1.1 mln tonnes

Last season (2022/23) the UK exported 1.48 Mt of total wheat, and 1.10 Mt of barley to the EU, according to HMRC data, AHDB reported on September 7.

The EU Commission currently estimates 2023/24 EU barley production at 49.1 Mt, down 5.5% on the year, and the lowest production figure since 2011. Again, according to EU Commission customs surveillance data, imports of barley are currently ahead of where they were at the same point last season. Though like wheat, Ukraine is the top origin and UK origin imports are slower than last season.

UK origin barley as at 04 September made up for 35.4% of total barley imports this season, totalling 178.5 Kt. At the same point last season, UK origin barley accounted for 74.5% of barley imports, totalling 264.6 Kt. As could be expected, this season, Ukrainian barley makes up a larger proportion of imports (49.8%) compared to last season (18.9%).

In terms of price competitiveness, on 05 September, feed barley off the east coast for September was £173.00/t. On the same day, EU Black Sea feed barley FOB price (Constanta, Varna, Burgas) was £153.23/t.

Similarly to wheat, Ukrainian barley has potential to remain competitively priced against UK origin barley in at least the short-term. There was also a slow start to barley harvest in the EU and UK, and quality is in focus. However, with a tight EU barley balance, and expectations of greater year on year UK production (due to an increase in area), could we see the potential for UK exports to pick up? This is something to watch as we gather more information from harvest and price competitiveness.

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