United Kingdom barley exports for the first half of the 2003/04 season (July-December) were reported at 0.63 million tonnes, some 14,000 tonnes higher when compared with exports during the same period in 2002/03, HGCA posted on February 23 (see the table below). Of the total, only 74,000 tonnes were sent to destinations outside the EU. Within the EU, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Belgium imported more barley, when compared to the previous season, while Spain and Portugal bought less barley. Spain however, remained the main destination for UK barley.

Barley imports into the UK for the first half of this season were 30,000 tonnes, compared to 38,000 tonnes last year. All of the 30,000 tonnes of barley was purchased from other EU countries. Some 15,000 tonnes were imported from the Republic of Ireland, most of which will be feed barley for Northern Ireland. Some 9,000 tonnes of barley was purchased from France.

25 February, 2004