Barley growers warn of crisis as Boortmalt prices fall to five-year low

This year has been a tumultuous season for malting growers. Contract cuts in early spring were soon followed by concerns Boortmalt would purchase no distilling malting barley at all.

Irish cereal growers have said they are “very disappointed” by barley producer Boortmalt’s final malting barley prices.

IFA grain chairman Kieran McEvoy said growers were “desperately low in confidence” at the moment.

“Linking the malting barley price to the FOB Creil market has delivered significant malting premiums for growers in recent years. However, it has not been immune to the dramatic drop that has occurred in all European grain markets over the last three months,” he said.

"The fixed prices of €230 and €240/t offered to growers for up to 40% of contracted volumes earlier in the season may mitigate the situation for some farmers who took those options. However, the base price of €209/t for brewing barley is the worst since 2020, and significantly lower than the €247.69/t paid last year,” he said.

Costs of production have increased dramatically since 2020. Teagasc analysis presented at the IFA tillage crisis meeting last week showed total variable costs for producing spring barley have increased by 35% since 2021.

This year has been a tumultuous season for malting growers. Contract cuts in early spring were soon followed by concerns Boortmalt would purchase no distilling malting barley at all. IFA strongly resisted these moves.

“Following the push back from IFA, Boortmalt honoured their commitments and took in distilling barley in line with their commitments,” he said.

“Thankfully, brewing demand appears firm. The recently published Irish Beer Market Report states that beer production increased by 11% in 2025. We would urge Boortmalt and the merchant supply chain to come forward with a fixed price offer for 2026 that gives growers some confidence. This price must reflect the increase in the costs of production,” Mr McEvoy said.

The Irish Grain Growers Group is calling for Boortmalt to scrap any attempt to deduct drying and handling charges from this year’s malting barley harvest. 

“Growers have already been hammered — the price paid for the 2025 crop is roughly half of what farmers received in 2022. This collapse is an insult to tillage farmers who produce the core ingredient for Ireland’s drinks industry,” a spokesperson said.

If barley farmers are forced to accept slashed prices, the drinks industry must drop the price of a pint for Irish consumers. Farmers cannot be the only ones asked to take the pain.

The group is also urging the Boortmalt and the drinks industry to urgently publish a forward price for the 2026 harvest, and clearly set out the contracted tonnage required. 

"Farmers deserve certainty, not silence. Without fair treatment and transparency, the sustainability of Ireland’s malting barley sector — and the reputation of the drinks brands built on it — is at risk," the spokesperson added.