EU: Malting barley prices supported by stronger French milling wheat futures

Stronger French milling wheat futures is adding some strength to malting barley prices, although the weaker EUR is more than mitigating the increase in USD terms. There has been malting barley demand present for both 2025 and 2026, which is logical given the current low malting premium, RMI Analytics said in their latest report.

Feed barley in Europe are underpinning malting barley values, as Russian logistical delays due to weather, and stronger feed barley demand from the Mediterranean are supportive to prices (feed barley mainly). The good pace of winter crop planting is a small risk to spring planted area.

Prices in Denmark and the UK are up with UK driven the emergence of underlying demand and a lack of sellers. Danish prices are increasing in line with French movements. Additionally, the demand for feed barley from southern European markets is contributing a
positive influence. In both Denmark and the UK, the malting premium has vanished, with feed barley indicated above malting barley.