Russia & Ukraine: 2006/07 barley production and exports to grow in Russia-Ukraine-Black Sea region

The Russia-Ukraine-Black Sea region is ourdays expressing an increasing demand for barley. UkrAgroConsult published following barley crop and export forecasts for the Black Sea countries:

The loss of winter grains after a very cold winter led to an expansion of spring barley acres. Planting took place late, but climatic conditions are good now so that large crops seem to be in the making. Old crop stocks of feed barley are almost completely exhausted.

Reports are that about half a Million tons of new crop barley traded to Saudi-Arabia, at prices around US$138.00/139.00 CIF, meaning US$112.00/114.00 FOB. Feed barley demand in domestic and export markets should be enhanced by the smaller availability of feed wheat.