China reports unofficially that beer sales during the first four months of the year went up by about 20 %. In view of last year's total output of 254 million hl, 20 % is a staggering figure, but we must not overlook that the first months of last year were badly affected by the SARS crisis. Rumours about little malt use per hl of beer have made the round since last year because of China's disappointing barley purchases. A reliable source puts the average malt use at 10 kilos per hl.

23 June, 2004