E-Malt.com News article: 2033

Winter grain plantings are now nearly over in the EU. In general, weather conditions have been satisfactory in Northern Europe. Southern Europe has seen more mixed conditions, HGCA reported in a statement on January 12.

Winter barley area in the EU-15 is forecast by Strategie Grains to drop 70,000 ha, to 4.18M ha. This is due to a forecast reduction in the UK where low prices relative to wheat and oilseed rape are blamed for the loss of area. Strategie Grains put UK winter barley area at 390,000 ha, at the low end of trade estimates but reflecting a general belief that winter barley area could be at least 5 percent to 10 percent lower this season. Winter areas in other countries are close to unchanged.

In the ten new member states plantings are forecast up slightly, by 60,000 ha, to 0.55 million ha overall. Small increases in Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic are key drivers.

Barley production will depend heavily on spring plantings, as well as yields returning to normal.



13 January, 2004