Canada: Barley export comes to stop due to high prices

On February 17, Statistics Canada estimated the barley acreage of 2021 at 3.190 mln ha (last year – 3.060 mln) vs. a large majority of private estimates of 3.5-3.6 mln ha. Production forecasts are 10.6 (unchanged from last year) vs. 12.5 mln tonnes forecast privately, H. M. Gauger GmbH reported earlier in March.

The combined demand of the Alberta feed and Vancouver export sector with no relief from U.S. corn imports has driven market up to more than C$300 track Lethbridge equal to US$300FOB Vancouver. At these price levels export business has come to a stop for old and even new crop barley. Farmers are expected to react strongly and expand their barley acreage by about half a million hectares.

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