World barley consumption in 2004/05 is forecast by International Grains Council (IGC) at 143.8 million tonnes compared to 145.7 million tonnes last year. A smaller than previously estimated crop in Australia slightly lowers the forecast of consumption, to 2.3 million tonnes, the same as the year before, IGC said in its January Market Report. This is offset by an increase in estimated use in Canada, up by 0.2 million tonnes, to 10.3 million tonnes (9.3 million tonnes), because of strong livestock feed demand, reflecting record cattle numbers. In the EU, ample supplies of other feed grains continue to contain barley use, with total consumption forecast at 51.2 million tonnes (53.3 million tonnes), unchanged from the last report, including 38.0 million tonnes (41.0 million tonnes) for feed.

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