Czech Republic: According to first estimates, the barley crop would reach 469,000 tonnes this year against 550,000 in 2003. Harvest started with good yields and qualities, analysts commented. It is now expected that the county will produce a surplus of malting barley of 150-200,000 tonnes. As the local market paid about CZK 3,800 ex farm (EUR 119), Czech barley has been uncompetitive in other EU countries. Slovak crop results are as good as in Austria and the Czech Republic. Price patterns followed the Czech market.

04 August, 2004