EU & UK: Barley crop forecast adjusted downward to 57.7 mln tonnes

As harvest 2024 winds down across Europe, one last weather chart showing very wet conditions reminds again of the struggles experienced this year, RMI Analytics said in their latest report.

Scotland has barley started the harvest and moistures remain high (26% reported), and while the supply chain is set up to handle such conditions, there will be additional work in securing final malting quality. As final yield estimates are determined, disappointing yields are a theme and particularly within winter barley crops. As a result, RMI Analytics’ barley crop’24 estimate for EU27+UK is adjusted downward by a further -0.3 mln tonnes to 57.7 mln tonnes.

Malting barley prices in Europe are steady to down, and more so in crop’25 six-row. Although crop’24's estimate is slightly reduced, it remains a rebound over crop’23 and puts roughly 1 mln tonnes of malting barley into the supply chain (over crop’23). This explains the dull price response to a reduced world crop’24 barley crop and the recent shrinking of malting premiums.