Jordan Barley Tender Failure Keeps Import Demand in Play

Jordan’s decision to leave its October 7 feed barley tender without award keeps 120,000 tonnes of demand in the market and maintains a mildly supportive tone for nearby Black Sea and EU feed barley values. With the original purchase requirement still open and a new tender closing on October 14, exporters are preparing for renewed competition into Jordan, while domestic prices in key origins show only modest week‑on‑week moves.

Market context

Jordan’s state grain buyer made no purchase in the October 7 international tender for 120,000 tonnes of animal feed barley, despite participation from five major trading houses (Al Ghurair, Bunge, Dreyfus, Olam and Soufflet). A repeat tender for the same volume is expected, with price offers due by October 14, meaning the country’s import requirement for early 2027 shipment remains fully uncovered.

This keeps Jordan present as an active buyer at a time when Black Sea exporters are competing aggressively for market share and EU origins monitor export demand. The next tender result will be closely watched as a benchmark for pricing and origin competitiveness into Aqaba in Q1 2027.

Prices

Domestic barley seed and feed quotations in Europe and the Black Sea have been relatively stable in recent days, with only small adjustments rather than sharp moves linked to the Jordanian tender outcome.

German ex‑works feed barley seed prices have eased slightly from late September highs but remain within a narrow trading range. Ukrainian FCA and CPT indications show a broadly steady picture, suggesting that ample regional supply is limiting any immediate price response to Jordan’s retendering.

Fundamentals & tender dynamics

The failure of Jordan’s October 7 tender to generate a purchase, despite offers from five large global suppliers, implies a gap between the buyer’s target price and prevailing export offers rather than a lack of available barley. Shipment windows in these tenders typically span January–February, aligning with strong Black Sea export availability.

The renewed tender for 120,000 tonnes keeps import demand intact and could encourage more competitive pricing from suppliers, particularly from the Black Sea and EU, which are keen to secure forward sales. However, the absence of published offer levels or reasons for rejection limits visibility on how far bids and offers diverged.

For exporters, Jordan’s repeated tenders underscore the importance of risk premiums linked to logistics, freight, and geopolitical uncertainties, while for Jordan the process provides successive opportunities to test the market and potentially secure more favorable terms if global feed grain sentiment softens.

Short-term outlook & trading view

• Tender watch: The October 14 tender deadline is the next key event. An award at lower prices than recent benchmark trades would confirm that suppliers are willing to concede margin to secure volume; a second failure would signal that buyers still find current levels too high.
• Exporters: Black Sea and EU sellers targeting Jordan should be prepared for aggressive competition on price and execution terms, but the still‑uncovered 120,000 tonnes represent a meaningful opportunity for Q1 2027 shipment programs.
• Importers/feed buyers elsewhere: The open Jordanian demand lends modest support to international feed barley values. However, current European and Ukrainian quotations suggest no imminent supply squeeze, so buyers can remain patient while monitoring tender results for pricing signals.

3-day directional price indication

• Germany (EXW feed barley seeds): Sideways to slightly softer over the next three days as domestic fundamentals dominate and tender news is digested.
• Ukraine (FCA/CPT/FOB feed barley): Largely stable, with only limited downside expected given ongoing export programs and competitive positioning into MENA markets.
• Jordan import parity: Directionally firm until the October 14 tender result provides clearer benchmarks for CFR Aqaba values.