EU: 2003-grain crops in the new EU member states of Central/Eastern Europe were very disappointing. The countries have secured supplies by export embargoes and quotas, general duty-free imports or duty-free quotas. After May 1st the EU Commission has the right to put a levy on extra large supplies in the new countries. The trade, however, rather believes that supplies will still be tight in Central Europe, and that there will be additional purchases from the old EU.

The new member states will add round about 8.5 million tonnes of barley to EU supplies. Poland's crop is usually between 3.0 and 3.5 million tonnes. The Czech Republic expects a crop of 1.8 million tonnes, Slovakia 0.8 million tonnes. The latter two countries have good supplies and well organized malting barley markets.

30 March, 2004