Key market for Ukrainian barley cut purchases

Since the beginning of 2019/20, Saudi Arabia has reduced import of Ukrainian barley as the country produced a rich harvest of fodder crops, UkrAgroConsult reports.

"However, China is still the second-largest importer of Ukrainian barley, although imports have been suspended since September 2019," the analysts note.

Exports of barley in July-March 2019/20 totalled almost 30% higher from the relevant period of the previous year.

Low demand and plentiful supply on the world market led to an increase in domestic stocks. Ukraine's barley stocks exceed last year's by 37% as of Mar. 1, 2020.

Low prices and falling margins resulted in a reduction of barley areas in the Black Sea region (winter and spring).

"Barley harvest is also expected to decrease in Ukraine by 10-15% vs. the previous year," experts forecast.

The global barley supply in 2019/20 increased by 19 mln t to its maximum since 1994/95. Exporters drove the expansion of barley areas and yield pressed by high prices in 2018/19.

"Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and China (about 50% of world imports) buy barley slower than last year. From July to January, Saudi Arabia imported 26% less barley, while China's import rate remains the same as last year's," the report reads.

As of Apr. 13, barley export from Ukraine reached 4.5 mln t, 34% or 1.14 mln t more YoY.