United Kingdom: Leading experts reassuring malting barley growers

UK malting barley growers have seen their crops swing into and out of profitability in recent times. With vastly increased fertiliser costs, some now have a question mark over the acreage they will commit to the crop in 2009, The Scotsman posted on November, 24.

Trevor Wright, of Simpsons Malt, one of the biggest suppliers of malt to the Scottish drinks industry, urged farmers to stick with growing spring barley for the malting market. "We are here for the long term. We are trying to iron out the peaks and troughs in the business and we are offering flexible contracts for the 2009 crop."

These would come with a minimum price but he was reluctant to disclose what that minimum figure was, saying only that the malting trade did not expect farmers to grow the crop if it was not going to be profitable.

He was supported by Robert Hiles, European malting barley manager with Syngenta Seeds, who are leading plant breeders. He reckoned the world demand for whisky was still buoyant and that some markets were still experiencing increased consumption.

He believes that part of the answer to securing the future of the malting barley industry in Scotland was for growers to be helped in reducing the unit costs of the grain. This could be achieved both by better varieties and also by improved husbandry.

He expected long term favourite variety, Optic, to continue to dominate the acreage of grain sown in Scotland for the malting market. "Growers know how to grow it and that is important."

25 November, 2008