Barley prices in Ukraine continue to decline due to weak export demand

The halt in seaborne exports from Ukraine has hit the feed barley market hardest, where domestic demand remains limited. The lack of active export demand, coupled with falling wheat and corn prices, continues to put pressure on purchase prices.

Due to the high cost of logistics to ports and buyers in the EU, farmers prefer to export oilseeds or corn, for which demand remains more stable.

 

Export demand prices for feed barley have decreased to UAH 6,500–7,000/t or $140–150/t with delivery to Danube ports and terminals on the western border, but the number of buyers remains limited.

Processors have reduced purchase prices for feed barley to UAH 5,500–6,000/t with delivery.

Malt mills purchase spring malting barley at UAH 6,700–7,000/t with delivery to the enterprise, but due to a lack of free storage capacity, acceptance remains limited.

 

In the 28 days of September, Ukraine exported only 72 thousand tons of barley, compared to 234 thousand tons in September 2025. Since the beginning of the 2026/27 MY, exports have amounted to 440 thousand tons, compared to 825 thousand tons for the same period last season, with a forecast for the current season of 2.5–3 million tons.

 

Barley purchase prices at importer tenders have increased to $300–310/t CIF for Middle Eastern countries. At the same time, on September 30, Jordan refused to purchase 120,000 tons of feed barley at an international tender due to high bid prices.

Recall that on September 23, 2026, the Tunisian state grain agency ODC purchased feed barley at $304–307/t C&F. This is lower than the purchase price by Jordan on September 9 at $318.5/t CFR.

 

The European Union reduced barley exports by 40% from July 1 to September 27, 2026 to 1.95 million tons compared to 3.1 million tons a year earlier, primarily due to reduced demand from China.

At the same time, the growth in purchases from Saudi Arabia and Jordan, which have partially switched from Ukrainian and Russian barley to European barley, supports the EU market.

 

According to Agritel, physical prices for French feed barley were almost unchanged for the month and remain at €215/t or $244/t FOB Rouen. Prices for spring malting barley fell by 3.5% for the month to €228/t FOB Cray.