Canada: Barley exports to China remain critical amid low domestic demand

A steady, but limited flow of Canadian barley exports is maintaining the total forecasted volume, with China remaining a key destination, RMI Analytics said in their latest report.

From a nearly 1.9 mln tonnes of total barley exports (feed and malting), China represents 72.1% of the total. In terms of malting barley exports specifically, China (780 thousand tonnes) is 74.3% of the total (1.05 mln tonnes). These exports are critical under the lower domestic demand for malting barley, from weak beer volumes.

Canadian export barley prices are steady to down slightly.

The domestic feed barley price in Lethbridge is sideways.

Imported US corn prices are competitive and expected to pressure feed barley prices further.