North America & Argentina: US and Canada barley crop exceeds expectations, Argentinean barley likely to fall short of forecasted 2 mln

North America barley crops in the U.S. and Canada were larger and of better quality than expected at the beginning of the harvest season, experts reported earlier this month.

Both countries are uncompetitive in feed barley markets, analysts state. According to reports, Canada offers malting barley to China at US$ 340 FOB Vancouver, but Chinese bid ideas are lower.

However, the situation is different in Argentina, as it has recently become known. The nation reported that lack of rainfalls endangers the crop potential, it is unlikely that an earlier forecast of a 2 mln tons barley crop will be achieved.

10 October, 2008