For malting barley there is a large import demand in Central and Eastern Europe. Estimates are: Poland 150 thousand tonnes, Slovakia 75 thousand tonnes, Hungary 70 thousand tonnes, Romania 100-150 thousand tonnes, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia about 50 thousand tonnes together. The Czech Republic has an export surplus, but a large percentage of the crop of 1.75 million tonnes will have protein contents above 11.5 %. The Ukraine may export and import small quantities of malting barley, the selection is barely sufficient for its needs of 230 thousand tonnes. Russia is in danger of losing most of its quality barley due to long-lasting rainfalls, which still hinder harvesting works. Harvested qualities and conditions are mostly mediocre.

02 September, 2003