Argentina: MY 2020/21 barley production forecast at 3.5 mln tonnes

Argentina’s barley production in MY 2020/21 is forecast at 3.5 million tonnes. A weakening global demand for feed and malting barley, higher returns for wheat and rainy conditions during planting contribute to the lower production, All About Feed reported on August 10.

Barley exports in MY 2020/21 are forecast at 2.4 million tonnes. Roughly half of the volume will be malting barley with the remaining balance in feed barley. Local traders believe that, due to China’s punitive tariffs on Australian barley, Argentina will increase exports of intermediate quality barley to China and reduce its exports of feed barley to Saudi Arabia, which could increase sourcing from Australia.

The use of feed barley for domestic demand is forecast to remain on the low side as corn prices are not as high as barley prices.

Ending stocks of barley for MY 2020/21 are forecast at 411,000 tonnes.