EU set to post decade-high barley exports

UkrAgroConsult

The European Union is on track to record its highest barley exports in a decade in the 2025/26 season, supported by strong global feed demand and reduced competition from the Black Sea region. The Middle East and China are emerging as key destinations for EU barley shipments.

Unusual market dynamics have pushed feed barley prices above milling wheat in some cases and close to malting barley levels, reflecting tight supply in competing origins and weaker demand from brewers.

Against this backdrop, the European Commission has raised its 2025/26 barley export forecast to 11 million tonnes, the highest since the 2015/16 season. Analysts say this creates a favorable export window for EU suppliers in the first half of the marketing year.

However, traders warn the advantage may be short-lived, as shipments from Southern Hemisphere producers are set to increase and French exports are already slowing. Forward prices for 2026 also suggest feed barley could return to its traditional discount to malting barley and milling wheat.

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Tags: export, barley, EU