Ukraine & Russia: Malting barley quality is rather satisfactory
Malting barley qualities are quite satisfactory in the Center and East of the Ukraine and in the Southern half of the Russian Black Soil belt. In the Western Ukraine and in the north of the Russian malting barley belt rains halted harvesting and led and will lead to the downgrading of 15 - 20 % of their spring barley crops, analyst estimated September 01.
Otherwise barley specifications and first micro-malting results indicate correct qualities. Russia must be able to find its large malting barley needs in local markets. Export availabilities from both countries will be negligible, if any.