Canada: 2006-07 CWB PRO higher for designated barley

The CWB released its December Pool Return Outlook (PRO) for the 2006-07 crop years. The PRO for feed barley Pool A (which runs from August 1 to January 31) is unchanged versus November, while the PRO for feed barley Pool B (February to July 31) is C$6 per tone higher than last month. Projected designated barley pool returns are C$2 per tone higher than last month's PRO.

Feed barley
Pool A - Sales in this pool are approaching completion.
Pool B - Global feed grain prices have remained strong over the past month in light of tight global supplies. Uncertainty surrounding the Ukraine�s feed barley export program has also been supportive to prices in the near term.

Designated barley
Global malting barley supplies remain tight, supporting higher prices. However, malting barley customers are working to minimize consumption at these price levels, leaving overall demand more uncertain going forward.