North America: Barley crop forecast is up for Canada and down for the US this month

More scattered rainfall across key barley regions in the US and Canada should help finish crop development, RMI Analytics said in their latest report.

For Canada, the industry observers� barley production estimate is raised +0.1 mln to 8.1 mln tonnes. Crop development has been uneven in both Alberta and Saskatchewan. Estimated average yield in Alberta is 3.6 tonnes/ha, but range from 2.85 tonnes in the northern Peace River region, to 4.4 tonnes/ha in Central Alberta. With this crop range of yields, there is a likelihood for some quality variability, but with a reasonable expectation for sufficient availability of malting barley quality for both domestic and export demand.

Farmer selling for new crop is quite limited due to lack of demand (bids) and the relatively low malting barley premiums currently offered.

RMI Analytics� US barley production estimate is down -0.1 mln to 2.7 mln tonnes, due to poorer crop ratings at only 42% Good/Excellent, versus 72% last year.