Spring barley in Europe in a good condition
Many spring barley fields in Europe are in a good or very good shape. The drought this spring didn´t seem to have too big an effect. In certain areas, an early harvest is expected. In some countries, the acreage is significantly smaller than it was last year. The price pressure continues though.
Even though the east of France started very dry this season, 70 percent of the stock in the entire country is classified as good to very good. However, the farmers have to deal with diseases. UK also reports a good condition of the stock. Plenty of rain and warm temperatures have facilitated the growth of the plants. However, there is danger of mildew and rhynchosporium.
Perfect growing conditions
The seed in Germany emerged differently due to a lack of rain by mid-April. The Braugerstengemeinschaft reports, that due to plenty of rain and warm temperatures the plants had perfect growing conditions. The tillering was satisfying and the crops are dense. Due to the current conditions, an average harvest is expected. Although the pressure of diseases could increase due to warm and humid weather, foliage diseases haven’t occurred so far. In the Netherlands the development of the plants is normal. Diseases rarely occurred.
The growing conditions in Denmark are denoted as good, too. Good yields and an early harvest are expected. The growth of the plants in Finland was delayed a little due to cold weather conditions, but the current weather is optimal for growth. The crop in Sweden had a good start, but is currently suffering a little bit in areas with heavy soils and rain.
Central and Eastern Europe
In Poland the growing conditions for the spring barley have been very good so far. Only in the southern parts of the country there was locally too much rain. This could have a negative impact on the production. There is a low pressure of diseases, and a high yield is expected. Due to an early spring and a small supply of feed barley, the acreage of spring barley increased. Hungary reports a good development of the plants caused by an early sowing and good weather conditions. Small amounts of rust infections have occurred though. The Slovak Republic expects an average or even better than average yield due to the good growth. Diseases only occurred locally. The Czech Republic expects a better than average yield as well. There were less diseases than in previous years. Generally the plants are in a good condition.
Prices under pressure
Despite a smaller acreage for spring barley in Europe and in contrast to the circumstances in April, the prices for malting barley are currently under pressure, as they adapt to the developments on the wheat and corn markets. Fob Mosel prices of 203,00 €/t basis July are mentioned. In April the price was at 230,00 €/t. Franco Upper Rhine prices of 216,00 €/t to 218,00 €/t basis October are currently reported. In April it was 242,00 €. Fob Denmark prices are currently 193,00 €/t basis October. At the beginning of April the price was 215,00 €/t. Similar conditions apply to Great Britain.
The decline in prices started with business activities on the processors’ part. Meanwhile they withdraw from the market, hoping for an even steeper decline. The coverage seems to be rather good. Salesmen for the new harvest have not been very active on the market yet. Uncertainty of the quality of the upcoming harvest is causing a restraint.
