World: Malting barley prices higher as planting in Europe is delayed by weather

Global malting barley prices are generally higher as the progress in planting Europe’s spring barley is delayed by weather, RMI Analytics said in their April report.

There was a clearing of weather which allowed advancement of planting but conditions turned wet again. Winter crop conditions are also less than ideal. Although conditions in North America/southern hemisphere are improved, Europe is dominating price direction.

French prices are continuing a sharp move higher, in response to the early weather market development. Other origins are slowly turning upward to follow French prices, but this move is less dramatic as larger supplies are in place and conditions for new crop are improved. Europe is the world’s largest barley production region and therefore plays a major role in setting the global price direction. Currently, the market tone is bullish due to crop uncertainty which will continue, the analysts said.

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