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# Canadian barley ending stocks for 2023-24 soared 72% year-on-year to 1.222 million tonnes, highest since 2018.

# On-farm barley stocks rose by 57.6%, while commercial stocks surged by 126.3% compared to last year.

# Barley exports fell 14.9%, while feed usage dropped 12.9% to 4.8 million tonnes, reflecting lower demand.

# Oat stocks plummeted 63.7% due to last year’s small crop, marking the lowest levels since 2010.

# Oat exports dropped by 12.1%, while feed use shrank by 36.1%, driven by tight supply and limited production.

Canadian barley ending stocks for the 2023-24 marketing year surged dramatically to 1.222 million tonnes as of July 31, 2024, up 72% from the previous year. This is the highest level seen since 2018, partially reflecting the upward revision in barley production estimates for 2023 to 8.905 million tonnes. Despite the current estimate of a smaller 2024 barley crop at 7.468 million tonnes, the high ending stocks will help mitigate the impact.

On-farm barley stocks climbed to 878,000 tonnes, a 57.6% increase, while commercial stocks rose even more sharply by 126.3% to 344,000 tonnes. Barley deliveries off-farm dropped by 14.1% to 4.3 million tonnes, with exports also falling by 14.9%. Barley used for feed purposes declined by 12.9%, reflecting weaker demand.

In contrast, oat stocks as of July 31, 2024, saw a sharp decline, falling by 63.7% to just 463,000 tonnes due to last year’s poor crop. Commercial oat stocks dropped 47.1%, and on-farm stocks were down almost 74%. Oat exports and feed usage also suffered declines, largely due to tighter supplies.

Finally

The surge in barley ending stocks will soften the blow of a smaller 2024 crop, while the sharp decline in oat stocks highlights the ongoing supply challenges. With lower exports and reduced feed usage for both grains, the market is experiencing significant shifts in dynamics.

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