North America: Canadian barley markets in precarious situation amid tariff battle

In the midst of the tariff battle with the US, Canadian barley markets are caught in a precarious situation, with over 300 thousand tonnes of malt forecast to move from Canada to the USA during 2025, the amount of malting barley needed by Canadian maltsters is a big question. Further, some 250 thousand tonnes of US malt are planned for Mexico this year but now could face retaliatory tariffs, RMI Analytics said in their latest report

A prolonged tariff situation would undoubtedly alter these malt flows. In addition, with smaller US barley production last year and expected to be down again in 2025, the normal security of Canadian barley to backup any US shortfall of malting barley is at risk under the tariff umbrella.

For the moment, barley prices for both malting and feed barley are steady. Domestic feed barley prices are lower as feed demand is in question under the tariff environment. Cattle on feed numbers are also down versus last year.

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