World: Malt barley quality specifications may be downgraded to meet some of the shortfall

Malt barley production globally is looking to be short of demand this season, The West Australian posted October 18. This makes stock available valuable and should make harvest prices some of the best across coarse grains.

Rain over harvest has downgraded malt crops across Europe.

Canadian plantings are smaller than normal, and with the Australian crop suffering, malt barley quality specifications may be downgraded to meet some of the shortfall. Feed barley demand on the east coast of Australia is skyrocketing and feed barley futures are trading higher than wheat.

East coast demand will more than likely set a floor in the WA feed barley market.

20 October, 2006