Europe: Barley crop forecast unchanged at 62.5 mln tonnes

European winter barley continues on a favourable path following good conditions at seeding which took place at an optimal timing. Temperatures have been warmer than normal, further supporting early crop development, RMI Analytics said in their early December report.

RMI’s barley crop’25 EU27+UK forecast is unchanged at 62.5 mln tonnes; Russia is steady at 19.3 mln tonnes; Ukraine production is up 0.2 mln tonnes to 5.4 mln, a result of slightly better yield results.

Continental European barley exports are at their highest since 2021, driven by strong feed barley demand and logistical delays in the Black Sea. In contrast, the UK faces a reduced crop and high domestic feed demand, resulting in the tightest barley supply in over 12 years, with little surplus for export. Despite a decline in malting barley demand, European farmers are benefiting from quite a robust feed demand.