Wet weather may lead to malting barley shortage

MALTING barley could be in short supply for the brewing industry this year due to the impact of the weather conditions.

But the current fears of tillage farmers are based on early indications from the harvest and it will be some time before the industry establishes whether there will be a serious threat to pint production.

Irish Farmers Association Grain Committee chairman Colum McDonnell said yesterday the wet weather has had a negative impact on both the quantity and quality of the malting barley harvested.

“Yields are back and, coupled with rising world demand and little or no carry-over stocks from last season, there is a real danger that there won’t be enough to meet brewers’ requirements. It’s likely that a higher proportion of this year’s crop will be used for animal feed,” he said.

Mr McDonnell said similar problems across northern Europe and drought in Russia, the Ukraine and Romania have led to concerns over supply availability.

“The price on offer, €260 per tonne is double what was paid last year as the major European malting houses aggressively compete for tight malting barley supplies to cover forward malt orders,” he said. “Continental brokers are actively scouting for alternative available supplies. They are targeting here with a view to sourcing Irish malting barley for export.”