World Barley: A small decrease in world barley output is expected in 2005, IGC posted in its Grain Market Report on March 31. Areas are likely to remain the same in the EU but to increase in Russia. Total world barley production is projected by IGC at 147 million tonnes, down from 151 million tonnes in 2004.

World barley production in 2004, at 151 million tonnes, remains well above estimated consumption, IGC commented in its report. World barley consumption in 2004 is now placed at 145.1 million tonnes, rather higher than last month’s estimate, as falling barley prices in Spain are limiting the reduction in EU feed use. Canada’s barley feeding is now put at a 4-year high of 9.3 million tonnes (8.6 million tonnes) due to historically large cattle and hog numbers. The estimate of world trade in barley is virtually unchanged at 15.7 million tonnes, (15.1 million tonnes).

In its Grain Market Report IGC as well communicated that on March 16 Japan bought 0.2 million tonnes of feed barley at SBS tender.

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