EU & UK: Malting barley prices lower for crop 2024 amid US tariff-related volatility

In France, it has been a very volatile week, as the US tariff situation pushed grain futures higher, but futures immediately retraced when the US tariffs were postponed. Within this backdrop, malting barley prices are sharply lower for crop’24, and down marginally for crop’25 - all driven by the weak demand environment, both domestically and in exports, RMI Analytics said in their early February report.

Stronger wheat and corn futures were increasing feed barley prices, but prices fell back slightly as the tariff news turned more positive and funds exited grain markets as a result.

Prices in Denmark and Sweden are down to a lesser degree versus France, for crop’24 but down in a similar fashion for crop’25.

The UK malting barley market is softer in a very quiet trade. For crop’25, maltster bids are EUR 3-5/tonne lower, as maltsters appear well covered. Feed barley prices are slightly higher in alignment the wider feed grain complex.