In 2004, barley plantings in Canada are expected to be 5-10 per cent lower than in 2003 according to the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB), although continued dryness in spring could boost the area back to 2003 levels. Canadian barley production in 2004 is currently forecast by the CWB at 12.2M tonnes, down just slightly from 2003. Canada’s bulk malting barley exports are forecast to be relatively stable in 2004-05.

Since the 2003/04 crop in Australia has only just been harvested, it remains too early to forecast what may happen to barley in Australia.What will be key is the El Niño effect on weather patterns, HGCA posted.

10 March, 2004