Argentina: Barley harvest completed but focus remains on weather

Although barley harvest is complete in Argentina, the focus remains on the weather – in particular for summer crops (e.g. corn), RMI Analytics said in their early February report.

The extremely dry areas in the north of the country received rainfall which is providing much-needed relief for summer crops, and undoubtedly help improve soil moisture conditions, as we look toward crop 2023 barley planting.

Current forecasts call for the dry ‘La Nina’ to exit, and possibly be replaced by ‘El Nino’ which, if realized, would typically bring wetter conditions. In light of these dry conditions, ‘El Nino’ would be welcomed, especially if in time for barley crop 2023.

Very little trade activity is reported for all crops, including barley. China is mostly absent at the moment, and there appears to be some open demand from South America, although little traded. Only a few position-balancing trades are reported at small tonnages. Farmers are only selling barley in very small pieces in a quiet market and prices are unchanged to slightly lower, the analysts said.

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