World barley consumption in 2004/05 is forecast by IGC (Feb 28) at 144.4 million tonnes (145.8 million tonnes), only slightly higher than in last month’s Market Report. Most of the year-on-year fall in global use reflects lower barley feed needs in the European Union, where large availabilities of competitively-priced wheat, maize and rye have curtailed demand. EU barley consumption is forecast to fall by 2.1 million tonnes from last year, to 51.2 million tonnes, including 38.0 million tonnes for feed (41.0 million tonnes).

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