Canada: Barley crop estimate for 2024 and forecast for 2025 remain unchanged

For crop’24, there is no change in RMI Analytics’ production estimate for Canada at 8.1 mln tonnes, and crop’25 is also unchanged at 8.9 mln tonnes. The small increase in production comes from a slightly higher planted area, and a return to average yields, the analysts said in their early February report.

RMI’s feed demand forecast is up, as the US/Canada trade dispute impacts US corn imports and raises domestic feed barley needs. Current exports remain weak, but the experts expect a small increase in crop’25 as Canada focuses in developing alternative markets and reduce reliance upon the US market.

The Drought Monitor at 2024 year-end, showed a few pockets of dryness in Alberta and Saskatchewan, with only a minor improvement during January.