World: Wet weather in Canada and the EU reduced the amount of malting barley
Large new crop supplies to USA from Black Sea ports and weak international demand depressed international feed barley markets, International Grains Council (IGC) posted on September 29 in its Grain Market Report.
The world totals of 2005/06 barley production, use, trade and stocks are all unchanged from last month’s forecasts of IGC. World barley production is put at 137 million tonnes, 15 million tonnes less than last year. Wet weather in Canada and the EU reduced the amount of barley suitable for malting. Large, good quality crops are expected in Russia and Australia.
Total barley consumption is forecast at 141 million tonnes. Feed use will be lower than in 2004/05 because of reduced output and stronger competition from other grains.
World barley trade is forecast by IGC at 17 million tonnes, the same as last year, as higher malting barley imports by Russia and increased feed imports in North Africa offset reduced purchases by Near East Asia. Total end-season stocks are projected at 23 million tonnes, 4 million tonnes less than at end-2004/05.
IMPACT OF HURRICANES ON US GRAIN EXPORTS
Hurricane Katrina and the associated flooding, which devastated the region of New Orleans at the beginning of September temporarily disrupted US grain and oilseed shipments on the lower Mississippi and through the Centre Gulf ports: almost two thirds of the US exports of maize and soyabeans and important quantities of wheat are shipped through this waterway system. Although damage to grain facilities proved less than feared and terminal operations were quickly restored, freight costs for all forms of grain transport rose steeply, affecting grain producers’ returns. A further intense storm at the end of the month halted grain loading on the Texas Gulf, this time affecting largely Hard Red Winter wheat. Export movement is returning to normal but in the longer term recent experiences may stimulate more investment in alternative routes.
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