Ukraine: Analysis on Ukrainian barley crop and condition of malting barley quality

The Ukrainian barley crop - 8,8 Million tones - is almost 2 Million tones smaller than in 2004. According to analysts, the malting barley quality would be less good than in Russia, especially in Western Ukraine maltsters complain about high protein and poor condition. Exports of feed barley are estimated to have reached 1,66 Million tones by end October.

The Ministry of Agriculture estimates that the 2006 wheat crop will be 9 Million. tones vs. 19 Million this year. Planting continued into late October, so that 5,6 Million. Ha or 88 % of the planned acreage were seeded.

But less than half of the planted winter grains had sprouted to-date. No doubt, winter weather, if mild and moist, can improve conditions and prospects quite a bit.

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