Barley: 14% lower output than last year’s so far
July 28, 2017 at 9:15 AM ,
Starry Night Ltd.
SOFIA. Competitive prices from the major competitors -- Russia and Ukraine -- in the Black sea basin have always exerted pressure on local prices, and as a consequence influence local export volumes; as has been the case for the last season – exports were close to 373,800 mt, the lowest in a few years. The country mainly exports to EU member countries such as Spain and Greece while to the rest of the world, the country exports to Libya.
Barley: in the clutch of a lower aggregate output
By the 20th of this month, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, farmers harvested 97% of total available acreages for harvest, which this year stood at 130,737 ha. For this season, farmers planted by approximately 20.4% less arable land with barley than they had done so during 2016.
Farmers started collecting barley before hailstorms hit, and as a result, the loss from the storms was minimal. In addition, fallen through acreages stood at 250 ha, which is a drop in the ocean if compared to fallen through acreages in rapeseed fields. As a result, output broke the 600,000 mt ceiling. Last year, output reached 697,787 mt.
Market developments
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, by the 21st of July 2017, an estimated output of barley stood at close to 610,000 mt. All exports so far have gone to EU member countries.
Harvest 2017-18 (01.07.2017 - 21.07.2017) |
|
Carry over |
22,000 mt |
Domestic output |
609,989 mt |
Domestic consumption |
18,000 mt |
Exports to the world |
59,000 mt |
Source: Bulgarian Ministry of Agriculture
In the words of local farmers, the turnover of barley on the market should happen at a faster rate, but supply prices do not meet demand’s. Shortage of barley is expected, and as a result an increase in prices.
Barley, Bulgaria |
|
Type |
EUR/kg |
feed barley |
0.135 |
EXW Bulgaria |