Barley growers seek better prices

MALSTERS, brewers and distillers were warned yesterday that they will no longer be guaranteed a secure supply of malting barley unless they pay growers a fair price.

Farmers have been growing and supplying barley for the production of malt to manufacture world renowned drinks for the last 200 to 300 years.

But the IFA Grain Committee Chairman Colum McDonnell said growers will switch to more profitable energy or alternative crop production if they can’t get a proper price for malting barley.

He said an offer by Greencore Malt of €15 a tonne for malting barley is an insult to growers, especially at a time when Guinness (Diageo) and publicans are looking for a price increase of 5c-6c on the pint.

The farmer’s share of the pint is now less than 0.8%.

Mr McDonnell said Greencore Malt and Diageo are abusing their dominant market position by forcing their farmer suppliers to take less than market value for their produce. At the same time, they are passing on their increased costs to consumers and increasing their own margins and profits.

“Even if the malting barley price was to double in the morning, this would only increase the price of a pint by 0.7 cent, a negligible sum in the context of the current price increase that is being sought,” he said.

Malting barley growers will meet tonight in the Clanard Court Hotel, Athy, Co Kildare, and tomorrow night at the Farm Centre, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, at 8.30 pm to discuss the situation.