Europe: EU27+UK barley crop boosted by 0.5 mln tonnes on yield improvements

Barley harvest has now wrapped up for most of Europe despite mixed weather. Scotland still has harvest to complete and Russia has 20-25% left to combine with some clearing of rain expected, RMI Analytics said in their early September report.

Yield improvements in Denmark, Sweden, and Germany have boosted the EU27+UK supply by 0.5 mln to 61.2 mln tonnes. In addition, Russia is up 0.2 mln to 18.5 mln tonnes (higher potential exists), plus better than expected yields have added 0.2 mln to the Ukraine crop.

As the growing season, marked by significant weather variability, comes to a close the overall outcome, is largely positive, and with only some manageable quality challenges. The analysts believe malting premiums should remain relatively low, while feed barley prices seem to be well supported for now. Current nominal price levels are not appealing to farmers, and as harvest activities diminish, farmer sales are likely to also decline to very minimal levels.