Canada: Barley crop forecast to decline in 2017/18

Canadian farmers will grow less barley in 2017/18, according to the first new crop production estimates from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Total barley seedings are forecast at 2.500 million hectares, which would be down only slightly from the 2.586 million seeded in 2016. However, a return to average yields would see production come in nearly 800,000 tonnes lower on the year, at 8.000 million.

Exports are forecast to increase by 11% to 2.1 mln tonnes due to strong world supplies and a return to normal trade patterns.

For 2016-17, total domestic barley use is forecast to increase by 5% due to higher feed use in cattle and hog production. Exports are forecast to decrease by 6% due to lower world demand for feed barley but malt barley trade is largely unchanged. Barley carry-out stocks are forecast to increase to 2.0 mln tonnes, well above the previous 10-year average.

30 January, 2017