USA: 2023 barley production 6% higher than last year

USDA’s Small Grains Summary is always a highly anticipated report in the wheat industry. Unfortunately, it contributed to a sharp drop off in the market as it reported all wheat production up 10 percent from last year, more than the industry expected.

All wheat planted equaled 49.58 million acres and harvested acres came in at 37.27 million acres. Harvested acres are up 1.78 million acres from a year ago.

Hard red winter wheat production came in at 601 million acres, up 18 million acres from expectations and 70 million bushels higher than a year ago.

Soft red winter wheat production is forecast at 449 million bushels, up 9 billion from the pre-report forecast.

Spring wheat production was reported at 504.9 million bushels, also above pre-report expectations. Spring wheat acreage planted was 11.2 million acres and harvested acres came in at 10.99 million acres.

Durum wheat production was 59.3 million bushels and yield came in at 37 bushels per acre. Planted durum acreage was 1.68 million acres and harvested acres were 1.6 million.

Oat production was estimated at 57 million bushels, one percent lower than 2022 totals. USDA estimated the yield at 68.6 bushels an acre, 3.8 bushels higher than the previous year.

Barley production hit 185 million bushels; six percent higher than in 2022, and yield was 72.4 bushels an acre.

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