Russia’s loss is the U.S.’ gain

Russia is the second-largest producer of barley in the world after the EU, and while much of its production is feed for livestock, a growing proportion of it is used for malting.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin banned grain exports in an attempt to keep domestic food costs down. However there is concern that the crop levels are not even enough to supply domestic demand.

Mr Putin said the grain crop could be as low as 60 million tonnes, while 79 million tonnes are needed to meet domestic consumption.

Farming anxieties are now focused increasingly on possible problems in planting of winter wheat, due soon for harvest next year, and even for next spring‘s planting campaign. Winter sowing is unlikely at least until September.

Winter grains, mainly wheat, account for roughly 40 percent of Russia‘s total grain output, it was reported.

Some Russian commentators have criticised Mr Putin’s ban, on the grounds that it might take Russia years to regain her international market position as an exporter of grain.

Washington is already preparing to grab the chance offered by Russia‘s export curb to meet demand in markets such as Egypt, the world‘s largest wheat importer and a major Russian customer.

“There is no question that this is an opportunity for us and we‘re going to take advantage of it,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was reported as saying.

Recent U.S. Department of Agriculture data shows an unexpectedly strong production forecast for the United States, which will be expected to fill any global deficit.