UK: Wheat and barley exports in May at their highest combined level since May 1997

UK wheat and barley exports during May were at their highest combined level since May-97, with wheat shipments at 348 thousand tonnes and barley at 127 thousand tonnes. Both crops are coming close to beating current 2015/16 UK export forecasts, HGCA reported on July 13.

Monthly barley exports have started to tail off, with a tighter UK balance compared to wheat. However, for wheat, it was the second largest monthly tonnage of wheat exported this season. If UK export momentum is maintained, UK wheat and barley stocks might not be as high as first anticipated moving into next season, HGCA experts said.

For barley cumulative exports are now at 1.89 mln tonnes, with full season exports currently forecast by Defra at 1.90 mln tonnes. Bar the final 10 thousand tonnes, the current full season forecast has now been hit with one month to go, already implying a tighter balance sheet than previously anticipated.

20 July, 2016