EU & UK: Barley prices down in both crops 2023 and 2024
French malting barley prices are down in both crop 2023 and 2024. Falling grain prices along with ongoing inflation impacts have led to farmer protests (e.g. France and Germany), RMI Analytics said in their latest report.
Recent global tenders were reportedly awarded to a French origin. This is needed, as EU-27 barley exports continue to track crop 2022 levels but appear to be levelling up, which may cause them to soon fall behind in the short term.
The Danish market is quiet with washout/cancellations the only activity. Prices are down, old and new crop, but Danish values are mostly indicative with no real trade activity.
In the UK, prices are also down with limited export activity. Domestic maltsters remain present in the market for small quantities in Q2 (April-June). Feed barley is gaining an increased share in feed rations as its pricing is very competitive in relation to other commodities. This could stabilize feed values, the analysts said.