Barley prices in Ukraine follow wheat and corn prices up

Sharp rise in wheat and corn prices in Ukraine has led to higher prices for feed and malting barley, sales of which farmers continue to hold back.

During the week, the export demand prices for feed barley for delivery to the Black Sea ports increased by 100-200 UAH/t to 8100-8400 UAH/t or 172-178 USD/t, and to the Danube ports – to 180-185 USD/t, while the prices for feed wheat and corn are already above 200 USD/t.

In MY 2024/25, Ukraine exported 1.575 mln tonnes of barley (650 thsd tonnes in the same period last year), including 252 (28) thsd tonnes in October 1-14, thus, the volumes of supplies are growing.

Due to the high export demand for feed barley, prices for malting barley also increased slightly, as they were so low that producers were forced to sell some of their malting barley as fodder.

During the week, the demand prices for malting barley delivered to the plant increased by 200-400 UAH/t to 8200-8400 UAH/t, but producers are in no hurry to sell, expecting the premium for it to increase to 800-1000 UAH/t compared to the prices for feed barley.

Amid the decline in the global demand for beer and the resumption of malting barley production in the EU this season, we should not expect the export demand for Ukrainian malt to increase, while the demand for beer in Ukraine also declined significantly.

In MY 2023/24, Ukraine harvested 5.5 mln tonnes of barley (5.8 mln tonnes in 2022/23 MY), of which it will be able to export 2.5-3 mln tonnes (2.5 mln tonnes last year).

Tags: Ukraine, barley, prices