Jonathan Lane, Gleadell’s Trading Manager, comments on barley markets

UK spring barleys continue to look favourable although a period of sunshine would be welcome to aid crop ripening.

Key European barley crop growing areas continue to look favourable with crops showing their versatility in their ability to catch up. Barley harvests continue to progress well in Russia, Bulgaria and the Ukraine among others, with higher than expected yields.

Winter barley demand will be lower for new crop and the 2014 crop as home availability decreases. This is due to a lower demand for malting varieties from UK maltsters.

FOB values are mostly unchanged over the last week.

Despite a decrease in demand for winter varieties, Gleadell is still able to offer a number of competitive winter barley contracts for the new season for a range of varieties across all UK regions.