EU & UK: Barley crop forecast mostly unchanged for 2023

In crop 2023, the EU27+UK barley production is mostly unchanged, down slightly to 59.37 mln tonnes, but still up 0.58 mln tonnes over crop 2022, RMI Analytics said in their late March report.

Wheat and barley yields are expected to improve slightly, 1-3% over 2022.

Barley, on a stable planted area and good early crop development, is shaping up well, the analysts said.

The concern about dry conditions continues, despite the good rain received over the past two weeks. The news gets better, as further and considerable rain is forecast for this week.

Ratings for France’s wheat and feed barley remain on the positive side, at 95% and 92% ‘good to excellent’ respectively.

Barley production for the EU27+UK has stabilized at around 59 mln tonnes, with ending stocks moving back to more comfortable levels.

Reports from Ukraine estimate wheat and corn production in 2023 to drop -19% and -15% respectively, and if a similar drop for barley equates to a crop of 5 mln tonnes. Note, Ukrainian oilseeds’ production is to be maintained or to increase slightly, the analysts said.

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