Canada: Barley production up 24% in 2019-20

For 2019-20, barley production in Canada increased by 24% or slightly more than 2.0 million tonnes from 2018-19 to 10.4 mln tonnes, largely due to higher harvested area and improved yields, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada reported on December 19.

Canada's two leading barley producing provinces, Alberta (AB) and Saskatchewan (SK), accounted for 98% of the increase in production, with 48% from AB and 50% from SK.

Production reached the highest level since 2009 and compares to 10 mln tonnes forecast by StatsCan in September.

Malting barley area and production for 2019 should be the highest in recent five years with good quality, according to the Canadian Grain Commission’s report on the Quality of Western Canadian Malting Barley 2019.

Total supply of barley increased by 17% from 2018-19 as the increase in production is partly offset by the historically low carry-in stocks.

Domestic use of barley is expected to increase from 2018-19, reflecting stronger feed use.

Exports are expected to decrease slightly due to the increased supply of barley in competing countries, including countries in the EU and Black Sea region.

Carry-out stocks are anticipated to increase sharply.

The average price of feed barley for 2019-20 is expected to be lower than that of 2018-19 due to higher world and Canadian supply.

World barley production and supply for 2019-20 increased to the highest level since 1994-95, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Barley production increased in the major exporting countries, including the EU, Australia, Russia and Ukraine. World trade is projected to rise due to higher supply and increased imports by Saudi Arabia, China and Morocco. World carry-out stocks are expected to increase to 22 mln tonnes from 18 mln tonnes in 2018.

20 December, 2019