North America: Tight malting barley situation remains problematic

The tight malting barley situation in Canada and the USA remains problematic, with crop 2022 harvest still over five months away, RMI Analytics reported earlier this month.

Now on top of the pre-existing situation the Black Sea disruption puts the next five months in a very precarious circumstances and increases the vital importance of Canada returning to normal barley production.

There is some positivity when looking at the early prospects for crop 2022, which the RMI analysts estimate at 10.2 mln tonnes - up from 6.8 mln tonnes in 2021. Imports of malting barley have been widely reported and more cargoes are expected in order to ensure 2022 malt supply.

There has been some moisture improvement over the past month which to a degree alleviates the dry conditions.

Competition from other crops makes it challenging for barley to retain planted area. The RMI Analytics’ crop 2022 estimate is based on a 4% decline in barley area (others at -7%). Farmer interest in contracting crop 2022 is very low at present.

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