Barley prices in Ukraine continue to decline amid weak export demand

Barley prices in Ukraine continue to decline amid virtually absent export demand following the shutdown of grain terminals at Black Sea ports. Traders are mainly buying grain for shipments via the Danube, where feed barley bids stand at UAH 7,000–7,800/t, or $140–150/t delivered.

Barley exports are running well behind last year’s pace. During the first 22 days of August, Ukraine exported only 61 thsd tons of barley compared with 247 thsd tons in the same period last year. Since the beginning of MY 2026/27, exports have reached 360 thsd tons versus 504 thsd tons a year earlier, while the season’s export potential is estimated at 2.5–3 mln tons.

Weak exports are leaving substantial volumes on the domestic market. Processors are buying feed barley at UAH 5,500–6,500/t delivered, while some farmers are willing to sell at around UAH 6,000/t ex-farm. Malting barley prices have also fallen over the past ten days, from UAH 8,000/t to UAH 6,700–7,000/t delivered to plants.

Meanwhile, the situation on the global market is moving in the opposite direction. Amid lower supplies from Ukraine and russia, barley prices delivered to Middle Eastern buyers have risen to $280–290/t CIF. At its August 27 tender, Tunisia purchased 75 thsd tons of feed barley at an average $301.7/t C&F, compared with $265.45/t at its previous tender in April.

Higher global prices have yet to translate into stronger Ukrainian prices due to logistics constraints, but they could provide support going forward. Another supportive factor is a 51% decline in EU barley exports since the beginning of the season to 1.14 mln tons, while physical prices for French feed barley have risen 5.6% over the past month to €214.5/t, or around $250/t FOB Rouen.

Tags: Ukraine, barley, prices