EU: Most of spring barley crop harvested during perfect weather

Most of the EU spring barley was harvested during perfect harvest weather, exceptions are Great Britain and Ireland, also Finland, where constant rains damaged crops, H. M. Gauger GmbH reported earlier in September.

In England early crops in the south and East Anglia show variable proteins, otherwise good quality; but much unharvested barley, particularly in the Midlands and Yorkshire, will be downgraded to feed quality. Scotland�s later maturing barley crop still looks fair. Harvest progress as of early September was only 20 - 30% in Scotland, the Midlands and Yorkshire.

France suffered from unusual irregular weather, barley yields are 1.2 to 1.3 tonnes/ha lower than last year, proteins partly too high.

Crops are of good quality in most parts of Iberia, Scandinavia, Germany, Poland and Central Europe.

Reduced demand and abundant supplies of quality barley have shrunk the price difference between feed and malting barley to levels, which hardly make the selection of malting barley worthwhile. Farmers, but also brewers, abstain from markets, both expect opposite price developments in their favour.