Canada: Both malting and feed barley prices remain unchanged

The North America barley (and malt) market faces a very dynamic situation related to the on-going threat of US tariff. The tariffs, if implemented and sustained, would dramatically impact malt and malting barley flows amongst Canada/US/Mexico, cattle movements between Canada and the US, and the resulting feed barley demand implications, RMI Analytics said in their early April report.

Although trade is quiet, the pipeline of barley for export has been filling indicating a good level of vessel loading is lined up. Beyond tariff influences, domestic demand remains very weak for malting barley as beer volumes remain poor. Exports face strong competition from France, Australia, and Argentina. Under the currently difficult market conditions, barley prices for both malting and feed barley are unchanged.

Domestic feed barley prices are also steady, at a seasonal period of time when prices tend to appreciate as logistics struggle during the spring thaw period.