The expectations in EU for a good malting barley crop have slightly fallen due to unfavourable weather conditions in some parts of France and Germany. Denmark is expecting excellent crop as usually with surplus more than 1,0 million tons of malting barley.

In Finland the whole May – June was cold and rainy which delayed the sowings and later also developing. At the end of June the weather pattern changed and we have had more sunshine and warmth. The growth is even and now developing well. In westerns parts some areas have suffered from drought. Main varieties are Saana and Scarlett. We expect to harvest at end August - first half September.

In South Sweden the growing conditions have been favourable for malting barley. Nice temperatures and enough water allows us to expect good yields and quality. Barke is the main variety in South Sweden, Prestige is increasing it’s share. Harvesting is estimated to start at the beginning of August.

Mid Sweden has had the same situation as Finland. At the moment everything looks good, but still one and a half months to go before harvesting. Astoria is the main malting barley variety.

Totally Sweden is again waiting for good malting barley crop with Barke as a major variety in South followed by Pasadena and Prestige and Astoria in Mid Sweden. Total barley acreage in Sweden is 350.000 hectares of which 85.000 hectares have malting barley varieties.

The growing conditions in Lithuania have been favourable for malting barley in June – July. The growth has developed well and estimated harvesting time is first half of August. Barke and Scarlett are the main varieties. We expect to get the needed quantities for our new capacity from Lithuania.

Although everything looks good, let’s keep in mind that we have to harvest the barley before malting it.

30 July, 2003