UK: Barley consumption by feed sector up 42% in Q1 2017/18

With HMR&C recently releasing trade data for September, we can now take a look at how UK barley consumption and trade has performed in the first quarter of the 2017/18 marketing season (Jul-June), AHDB reported on November 17.

The impressive change is the rebound (42%) in barley consumption by the commercial feed sector – likely driven by price and generally better specific weights on a year ago. The Early Balance Sheet forecasts put total animal feed demand for the full season 3% higher than 2016/17. As such, commercial feed demand will be keenly watched to see if the growth seen in the first quarter persists.

The UK’s barley exports declined by 4% over the reporting period, while total barley usage by brewers, maltsters, and distillers grew by 4%.

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