World: Malting barley surplus to exceed deficit in 2017/18 - analysts

According to the latest report of the analysts H. M. Gauger GmbH, the global malting barley surplus may reach 6.1-7.1 mln tonnes in 2017/18, with Australia’s 3-3.5 mln tonnes and EU’s 1.4-1.7 mln tonnes malting barley surplus.

The world’s malting barley deficit is forecast at 5.15-575 mln tonnes, the analysts said, with China remaining the main malting barley importer (up to 3.5 mln tonnes).

The intra-NAFTA traffic is omitted in this balance. Figures can only be vague, however, as Northern Hemisphere crops are still a few months away, the analysts said.

FAQ and germinating feed barley represent a good part of China’s malting barley procurement.

After a period of tight markets due to Australian and French crop problems last year, supplies are comfortable again, as Australia harvested record quantities of good quality. As of July/August also French winter barley will be back as a major factor in the world market. Spring barley acreages are expected down in the Northern Hemisphere (except UK), supplies could turn out to be on the tight side in the EU and North America, the Gauger analysts said.

E-malt.com, the global information source for the brewing and malting industry professionals. The bi-weekly E-malt.com Newsletters feature latest industry news, statistics in graphs and tables, world barley and malt prices, and other relevant information. Click here to get full access to E-malt.com. If you are a Castle Malting client, you can get free access to E-malt.com website and publications. Contact us for more information at marketing@castlemalting.com .