Spring Barley Report Europe 2013
For the most parts of Europe, spring barley leaves a good or very good impression of qualities. Even if protein values are low sometimes, there is great satisfaction about the qualities.
The reduced acreage in some European countries does not worry the market. France for instance has clearly cut the cropland, but qualities are good. The market expects a surplus of 1.2 Mio t of malting barley in France. In Germany the harvest was smaller than in 2012. According to Braugerstengemeinschaft e.V, selection is high and the barley offers good processing characteristics. Denmark reduced the acreage as well, but also reports a good quality. Sweden and Finland were able to show better results than expected. Scandinavia produced a surplus of 1.4 Mio t.
In the UK the acreage was clearly enlarged 2013, caused by difficult weather conditions for seeding in autumn 2012. Spring barley was harvested with good qualities and high yields. Farmers in Austria and Poland had to get along with big differences in quality this year. However, good results are reported. In Slovak Republic more than 60 percent of samples can be used for malting. In Czech Republic better qualities than last year are achieved but the production is smaller. Hungary is not satisfied with the crop yield. Both quantity and quality of the harvest are rated below average. Russian farmers struggle with high protein values and a risk of reduced germination ability.
With a surplus of 1.7 to 1.9 Mio t spring malting barley in Europe, the processing industry will have a comfortable supply situation. Barley of 2013 could last till the end of next year. In Denmark prices of 181.00 EUR/t FOB (Free On Board) for spring barley are quoted, in UK 183.00 EUR/t FOB. Franco South of Germany, prices of 220.00 EUR/t are mentioned. Due to increasing prices for feed barley, malting barley could find its destination in the feeding trough, for the prices for feed barley reach up to 187.00 EUR/t in some cases. In view of the acreage 2014, changes in cropland cannot be expected in France or Germany but clearly in the UK. The acreage here might drop from 900,000 ha to 600,000 ha. In Scandinavia market observers expect up to 15 percent less in acreage as well.
