The winter barley harvest started last week throughout the Netherlands. A week or 2 later than has been the case in recent years. In many places it was high time to thresh. A combination of rain and a lot of wind caused the crop to hang or lay flat. The yield and quality show that the gloomy and wet weather has taken its toll.
The figures that winter barley produces are usually a good indicator for the wheat harvest, which will probably take another 3 weeks or so. It is clear that the weather has had an effect on the quality and yield figures. A combination of regular precipitation and dark days around the flowering and ear filling mainly produces low hectoliter weights. The grains are there, they just are not as well filled this year.
High time
In general, the winter barley plots were in good condition. The bulk is there. The straw is still a bit green in many places, especially on the clay soils. On the sandy soil the barley could often have been removed earlier, but due to rain this was not possible until the end of last week. From South Limburg to North Groningen, the first plots were harvested from Wednesday 7 July. The barley arrived in dribs and drabs, especially on Friday and Saturday. With the weather forecast for this week, it will probably have to wait a while until straw can be pressed.
The area of winter barley has increased slightly this year to 9.810 hectares, according to preliminary figures from Statistics Netherlands. Given the significant decline in the area of spring barley (minus 30%), this is not surprising. Since 2010, the area of winter barley in our country has almost doubled. Arable farmers find the early harvest time practical for harvest distribution and to be able to sow a green manure early.
Falling prices
Prices for the new harvest have fallen sharply on the regional fairs since the beginning of June, but they are still holding up above €200 per tonne. Last week, €207 per tonne was put on the plates at the Middenmeer fair and the fair for Northern Netherlands. A week earlier that was still €3 higher. The European price for feed barley in Rotterdam is slightly lower at €193. A week earlier, €210 per ton was also quoted there.
Winter barley is known to produce quite a few kilos. Even under drier conditions, good yields have often been achieved in recent years. On clay soil, 10 tons or more is feasible. On sandy soil it often remains around 5 to 6 tonnes. This year it is difficult to gain a lot of kilos due to the low hectoliter weights. Figures between 50 and 55 are often seen.
European progress
Winter barley is also harvested elsewhere in Europe, such as in France and Germany. Local rain showers and wet soil conditions mean that the harvest is not going well this year. In France, wheat and rapeseed are now also being harvested in the southwest. The yields vary, but certainly not bad in many places. Via the interactive map Moisson Live you can follow the progress of threshing.
In Central and Eastern European countries such as Romania and Bulgaria, wheat is harvested between showers. A wet summer clearly leaves its mark. The volume of wheat in the EU is expected to be there, with an 11% larger wheat harvest compared to last year. Good quality wheat with a high protein content is particularly popular. The feed wheat market is filling up quickly and this is visible in the price levels, which are increasingly having to yield.
Busy market
The Baltic states have had better growing conditions. They are expected to benefit from better prices for baking wheat this season. Currently, Russian export taxes are around $40 per tonne. With this price built in, European wheat is very competitive in the market.
A disadvantage is the sky-high freight costs. This makes it difficult for distant export destinations such as China to benefit from the current price level. It is therefore expected that European wheat will have to be sold closer to home, such as in the Middle East. That's where the pressure is. A combination of a lot of volume from the EU and Black Sea region is putting pressure on the market.