Barley prices in Ukraine decline amid weak export demand and falling corn prices

Price pressure on Ukraine’s feed barley market is intensifying due to weak export demand and increasing supplies of cheaper feed ingredients. In particular, feed corn prices have fallen to UAH 4,500–5,000/t delivered to elevators, while sunflower cake prices have declined to UAH 4,000–4,500/t FCA plant. As a result, processors have reduced their purchase prices for feed barley to UAH 5,000–5,500/t delivered to processing facilities and are limiting purchases amid ample supplies.

Export bid prices for Ukrainian feed barley remain at UAH 6,500–7,000/t, or $140–150/t, delivered to Danube ports. However, the number of buyers remains limited, while grain transportation costs from various regions of Ukraine have increased to UAH 2,500–3,500/t. Under these conditions, barley shipments from central and northern regions to ports have become economically unviable for many sellers.

Weak demand is also affecting export performance. During the first 19 days of October, Ukraine exported only 25 thsd tons of barley. Total shipments since the beginning of the 2026/27 MY reached 473 thsd tons, compared with 1.03 mln tons during the same period of the previous season, representing a decline of more than 50%. Meanwhile, the barley export forecast for the current season remains at 2.5–3 mln tons. Malt producers are also making limited purchases of spring malting barley at UAH 6,700–6,800/t, while some plants have suspended deliveries due to insufficient storage capacity.

A downward price trend is also evident in the European feed barley market. According to Agritel, French feed barley cash prices have declined by €7/t since the beginning of October to €208/t, or approximately $233/t FOB Rouen. The main factors include increased supplies of feed corn and wheat, as well as lower purchase prices at international tenders. Meanwhile, French spring malting barley prices have risen by €10/t to €238/t FOB Creil.

Recent import tender results indicate additional pressure on global prices. On October 21, Jordan purchased approximately 50 thsd tons of feed barley from French company Soufflet at an estimated price of $302.25/t C&F for delivery in the first half of February 2027. This was $4.75/t lower than at the previous tender on October 14, when the country bought 60 thsd tons of barley at $307/t C&F. Lower prices at international tenders, combined with weak domestic demand, continue to limit the potential for a recovery in Ukrainian feed barley prices.

Tags: Ukraine, barley, prices