In the 2025/26 MY, barley production in Ukraine will decrease, so producers expect prices to increase, but the market will remain under pressure from increased global feed grain production

In Ukraine, the reduction in sowing areas and negative weather factors will significantly reduce barley production in the 2025/26 MY, experts from the PUSK agricultural cooperative, established within the All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council (VAR), believe. The harvest is expected to be 5.1-5.3 million tons, which is 40% lower than the pre-war production level. This will reduce supply at the start of the season, to which prices are reacting with a gradual increase. At the same time, demand for Ukrainian barley is increasing, in particular from China, which is returning to the market, and the countries of Southern Europe. China has already contracted 500 thousand tons of Ukrainian barley for delivery in July-August, and buyers from Europe, in particular from Spain and Italy, are also intensifying purchases. Given the decrease in production, traders are trying to purchase the necessary volumes in advance. Experts expect barley prices to rise in the second half of the year, especially ...