EU: The premium of malting barley is too low. It is difficult to understand, why the EU industries do not cover their total needs for the crop year. Winter barleys, especially any lots with more than 11,5 % protein, are hardly worthwhile to be selected and screened for malting. Another problem will be that farmers should be disenchanted enough with malting barley prices that they will rethink the planting programs for next year.

29 October, 2003