North America: Export prices steady for Canadian malting barley, US demand is declining

Export prices are steady for Canadian malting barley as possible disruptions related to the new Trump administration draw headlines, RMI Analytics said in their early December report.

The US threat of tariffs on imports could have an impact on the barley market, as direct exports to the USA have been in the 250-300 thousand tonnes annually, supplementing local US production. Any tariff war, between Canada/US would force Canada to target Chinese demand and attempt to gain a share gain of imports to China (and Japan).

US demand for malting barley is declining as malt capacity closures/idling has been announced for 2025, and these tough decisions are directly tied to the weak beer market demand for malt.

Canada’s domestic feed barley prices are stronger, with questions circulating about the impact of a possible trade dispute between these neighbouring nations. Farmer barley selling is low in a post-harvest quiet period.