Denmark, Sweden & Finland: Seasonal outlook on the malting barley market

A spell of quite “summerly” weather gave farmers all over the Northern spring crop area a possibility to drill practically uninterrupted for 6-7 days, H. Abildstrøm & Co ApS informed on May 16.

After miserable weather conditions this created mental and sowing turbo to the spring sowings here. Although 2-3 weeks late the crops are now under development. Most areas in Denmark, Sweden and Finland would need some rain now and forecast for all this week is with showers and cool temps which would mean an excellent start.

Winter crops practically all over the region are in excellent shape. The Scandinavian malting barley market is these days rather “vacuumish” with a leg in the balance of old crop and a leg in speculations on new crop. Waves of bad news from the malt market and a pretty low dollar keeping real buying interest spellbound. Only usual “routine” business takes place on new crop and scattered coverings of May-July shorts in old crop.

It is believed that Denmark still has around 75.000- 125.000 tons unsold malting barley of various varieties and seems in general farmers finally have sold their barley to the trade. Sweden and Finland sold out.

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