Growers face a tricky season for over-supplied spring barley crop

摘要

Is spring barley dead for 2010? Almost, reports Charles Abel. Enthusiasm for spring barley has come to a shuddering halt, as last year's huge upsurge in plantings created a mountain of over-supply, slashing prices from more than 180 pound/t to less than 80 pound/t. With contracts for 2010 as rare as hen's teeth, even elite malting growers are wondering whether to plant, although at least one analyst believes growers should take a leap of faith (see right), while others are pointing to the huge area of winter wheat drilled in the UK and Europe, which may help move supply and demand back into balance.