Barley prices in Ukraine are rising in line with wheat and corn prices

A sharp rise in the prices of wheat and corn in Ukraine has led to an increase in the prices of fodder and malting barley, the sale of which farmers continue to hold back.

 

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

 

In 2024/25 MR, Ukraine exported 1.575 million tons of barley (650 thousand tons for the same period last year), in particular for October 1-14 – 252 (28) thousand tons, that is, the volume of deliveries is increasing.

 

Due to the high export demand for feed barley, malting barley prices also rose somewhat, which were so low that producers were forced to sell some of the malting barley as feed.

 

During the week, demand prices for malting barley with delivery to the factory increased by 200-400 UAH/t to 8200-8400 UAH/t, however, producers are in no hurry to sell, expecting an increase in the premium for it to 800-1000 UAH/t compared to prices on fodder barley.

 

Against the background of the decrease in global demand for beer and the recovery of production of malting barley in the EU in the current season, we should not count on an increase in export demand for Ukrainian malt, while the demand for beer in Ukraine has also decreased significantly.

 

In 2023/24 FY, Ukraine collected 5.5 million tons of barley (5.8 million tons in 2022/23 FY), of which it will be able to export 2.5-3 million tons (2.5 million tons last year).