Barley crops are larger in the EU, the Balkans, Ukraine and Canada, according to the latest figures. IGC estimates the world trade at 15.3 million tonnes for the current campaign. The EU will not be competitive without restitutions, in Canada feed barley is mainly consumed in domestic markets, therefore Australia and the Black Sea (Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania) are the almost exclusive suppliers to world markets. Prices on world markets have recovered to levels around US$ 100-105 FOB seaports. C+F prices improved as follows: Libya on July 5 US$ 101 on August 26 US$ 132. Tunesia US$ 109 - 111 on July 14, 129.50 – 134.70 on August 26. It is expected that Middle East countries will import much larger quantities this year than in 2003/04.

10 September, 2004