Argentina: Barley crop forecast unchanged at 4.8 mln tonnes

Rainfall persists in southern Brazil, but has cleared enough in Uruguay and Argentina to allow planting to progress but sporadic delays leave the crop slightly behind schedule. Overall, Argentina barley planting is circa 60% complete, with the key south-east region remaining.

Nearly ideal soil moisture conditions with more rain expected are putting the crop on a very good early path. RMI Analytics� barley crop�25 forecast for the nation is unchanged at 4.8 mln tonnes.

Farmers are tight holders of the last remaining old crop barley, which is available only in small lots, but open demand is reportedly still present from within South America and partial cargoes for China.

China and Brazil account for 76% of total Argentina barley exports (crop�24), with a small decline forecast as competition globally will be intense over the next year.