EU: The majority of the winter malting barley surplus will probably be exported to China

The 2005 EU harvest of winter malting barley accounted for about 2 million tonnes, for which there was a demand of 1.65 million tonnes. The main varieties of this barley are Vanessa and Pearl (two row) and Esterel (six row), GlobalMalt commented in its September Market Report.

�The high prices of barley within the EU, a strong Euro and good harvests or good harvest prospects in Canada, Australia and South America are limiting exports of malting barley. Despite this, the majority of the winter malting barley surplus will probably be exported to China. The majority of the reduced surplus of spring malting barley will probably also be exported during the course of the year.

Overall there will not be a major surplus of malting barley in the EU. The first negative predictions about the 2006 sowing season are also appearing. In Germany, the farmers and collectors are currently expecting a reduction in the growing area between 15 and 30 % due to good sowing alternatives.�