In its November report, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) raised its forecast for feed grain production in Ukraine in the 2026/27 marketing year (MY) by 400,000 metric tons compared to October—to 39.49 million metric tons—primarily due to a revision of the barley harvest estimate.
According to data from the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report dated November 10, the previous forecast for forage grain production was 39.09 million metric tons.
Since the corn harvest estimate remained unchanged at 31.8 million metric tons, the USDA currently estimates production of other feed crops—including barley, rye, oats, sorghum, and millet—at 7.69 million metric tons, up from 7.29 million metric tons in the October forecast.
Thus, the increase in the forecast for feed grain production in Ukraine is specifically linked to crops other than corn.
In the November report, U.S. analysts specifically noted an upward revision to the estimate for barley production in Ukraine.
At the same time, the forecast for total feed grain exports from Ukraine was lowered from 23.77 million to 21.77 million metric tons, or by 2 million metric tons.
The bulk of the reduction is attributable to corn, with exports projected at 20 million metric tons, down from 22 million metric tons in October.
Accordingly, projected exports of other feed grains total about 1.77 million metric tons and remain unchanged from the previous forecast.
Meanwhile, the USDA raised its estimate of ending stocks of all feed grains in Ukraine from 8.7 million to 11.1 million metric tons.
Of this total, 7.53 million metric tons are corn, while stocks of other feed crops are estimated at about 3.57 million metric tons, compared to 3.17 million metric tons in the October forecast.
According to a separate USDA Grain and Feed Quarterly report released on November 2, 2026, the barley harvest in Ukraine is estimated at 6.6 million metric tons, and the rye harvest at 326,000 metric tons on a bin-weight basis.
Globally, the USDA has raised its forecast for barley production in the 2026/27 marketing year by 1 million metric tons, to 161.1 million metric tons.
Growth is expected primarily in Australia and Ukraine, while the production forecast for Russia has been lowered.
An increase in global barley trade is also projected, driven in part by a rise in Australian exports.
Barley is one of Ukraine’s major grain crops. It is used in livestock farming, the feed and malting industries, and is also exported to foreign markets.
The increase in the harvest creates additional supply of raw materials for domestic consumption and export; however, realizing export potential will depend on demand and the capacity of the transportation infrastructure.
Sources: USDA, WASDE, November 10, 2026, p. 21 (PDF); USDA, Grain and Feed Quarterly, November 2, 2026 (PDF).
