Source: Ukragroconsult (Ukraine)
Updated UK trade data for December 2024 confirm that imports of wheat and maize remain strong, although the pace of cereal imports slowed slightly in December. At the same time, exports of UK cereals, particularly barley, wheat and oats, showed a slight increase.
Since the start of the season (July-September), UK wheat imports totaled 1.70 million tons, 60% more than the same period last year and 74% above the five-year average. Germany, Canada and Denmark remain the main suppliers, reflecting the preferential quality of imported wheat for the flour milling industry. The overall forecast for the 2024/25 season calls for imports of 2.75 million tons, with 62% of that volume already imported by mid-season.
In terms of exports from July to December 2024, UK barley exports were 257,000 bt, 37% lower than last year and 65% below the five-year average. However, barley exports reached a high of 68,000 b. tons in December, well above the September low of 22,000 b. tons. AHDB forecasts that total barley exports could reach 500 thousand tons at the end of the 2024/25 season.